They allow hyperscalers to expand capacity rapidly while keeping the bulk of associated debt off their consolidated balance sheets, converting what would be large capital expenditures into multi-year operating leases or offtake commitments. This creates meaningful “shadow” leverage and interconnected risks.
How the Structures Typically Work
A dedicated vehicle (SPV, joint venture, or variable…
Circular financing in the AI sector refers to a tightly interlinked system of equity investments, compute commitments, guarantees, and off-balance-sheet structures among chipmakers, hyperscalers, AI labs, and data-center operators. Money and obligations circulate among a small group of counterparties, accelerating infrastructure buildout while amplifying downside risks if end-user monetization falls short.
How It Works.…