CORZ Stock Explodes 32.9% on CoreWeave Acquisition Bid Revival After Failed 2024 Attempt

The Catalyst

Core Scientific shares erupted 32.9% higher today, rocketing from $12.30 to close at $16.35 in explosive trading volume that reached 88.4 million shares—a staggering 963% above the average daily volume. The dramatic surge was triggered by Wall Street Journal reports that AI infrastructure darling CoreWeave is once again pursuing an acquisition of Core Scientific, reviving a bid that failed last year. The news transformed CORZ from a significant market laggard (down 12% year-to-date vs. S&P 500’s 4% gain) into one of today’s biggest winners as investors rushed to position for a potential takeout premium.

Why This Matters

CoreWeave’s renewed interest in Core Scientific validates the strategic value of crypto-to-AI data center transformation stories. CoreWeave itself exemplifies this evolution, pivoting from cryptocurrency mining to AI cloud services after the 2018 crypto crash and subsequently growing revenue from $16 million in 2022 to an astronomical $1.9 billion in 2024—a 12,000% increase that demonstrates the massive opportunity in AI infrastructure. Core Scientific’s existing data center footprint, power infrastructure, and operational experience make it an attractive acquisition target for companies looking to rapidly scale AI compute capacity.

More importantly, CoreWeave’s aggressive growth trajectory and enterprise client base suggest they have both the financial resources and strategic motivation to complete an acquisition this time. With AI workloads exploding across enterprises and cloud providers scrambling to secure compute capacity, acquiring established data center operators like Core Scientific has become a critical competitive advantage rather than a nice-to-have expansion strategy.

Technical Setup

This thing was dead money for a month, grinding between $11.50-12.50 like it was in prison. Multiple failed breakouts at $12 had me thinking this was just another false start. Boy was I wrong.

Then the M&A news hit and BOOM:

• Obliterated $12.50 resistance like it was made of paper
• RSI at 85+? Who cares - takeover targets play by different rules
• Gapped clear above every moving average - that’s a regime change
• $18-20 is next if this deal gets real
• 963% volume explosion? That’s pure institutional panic buying

When acquisition rumors hit dead money stocks, the moves can be absolutely vicious.

Is CORZ Stock a Buy After CoreWeave Acquisition News?

When acquisition targets break out on takeover speculation with 10x normal volume, historical data shows continuation rates above 70% as arbitrage funds and momentum traders pile in. The combination of strategic buyer validation and technical breakout creates compelling risk/reward for traders willing to stomach M&A volatility.

Today’s Price Action

The session opened with modest buying pressure as CORZ gapped slightly higher to $12.40, but the real fireworks began when the Wall Street Journal report hit the wires around 11:30 AM ET. The acquisition news triggered an immediate surge that saw the stock rocket through multiple resistance levels with sustained institutional buying throughout the afternoon.

Intraday Highlights

• 9:30 AM: Boring open at $12.40 - nobody saw this coming
• 11:30 AM: WSJ drops the bomb - instant rocket ship to $14.50
• 12:00 PM: Quick breath at $15 then right back to the races
• 1:30 PM: Smashed through $16 - arbitrage guys going nuts
• 2:30 PM: Peak at $16.89 - momentum traders piling in
• 3:00 PM: Quick dip to $15.80 - weak hands getting shaken out
• 4:00 PM: Closed at $16.35 near the highs - that’s conviction

This is textbook takeover speculation trading. Violent moves, massive volume, pure chaos.

Volume Analysis

Today’s volume profile reveals the unmistakable signature of major M&A speculation. The 88.4 million shares traded represents 963% of the 20-day average volume, with characteristics typical of acquisition target activity:

• News Break: Immediate 15M share spike within 30 minutes of WSJ report
• Arbitrage Activity: Sustained volume above 3M shares per 15-minute period
• Institutional Scramble: Large block trades detected every $0.50 level higher
• Momentum Acceleration: Final two hours saw 35M shares as retail joined the frenzy

The volume-weighted average price (VWAP) remained consistently below market price after 11:45 AM, confirming sustained buying pressure with minimal distribution despite the dramatic price appreciation.

Why CORZ Stock Is Rising Today

The acquisition speculation created a perfect storm of catalysts:

• Strategic Validation: CoreWeave’s interest validates CORZ’s AI transformation potential
• Takeout Premium: Market pricing in potential 30-50% acquisition premium
• Sector Momentum: AI infrastructure consolidation accelerating across the industry
• Short Squeeze: Previous market laggard status meant heavy short interest

CoreWeave Acquisition Strategy

CoreWeave’s renewed pursuit of Core Scientific reflects the critical importance of securing AI compute infrastructure:

CoreWeave’s Growth Story:

• Revenue explosion: $16M (2022) → $1.9B (2024)
• Leading AI cloud services provider
• Enterprise clients demanding massive compute scale
• Need for additional data center capacity to meet demand

Core Scientific’s Strategic Value:

• Established data center footprint across multiple markets
• Existing power infrastructure and utility relationships
• Operational expertise in high-density computing
• Potential for rapid AI workload conversion

Why the Second Attempt Matters:

• CoreWeave now has significantly more financial resources
• AI demand has accelerated dramatically since the failed 2024 bid
• Core Scientific’s transformation story more developed
• Strategic imperative stronger in competitive AI landscape

Crypto-to-AI Transformation Theme

Both companies exemplify the powerful crypto-to-AI pivot that’s reshaping the data center industry:

• Existing Infrastructure: Crypto mining operations already have power, cooling, and space
• Operational Expertise: Teams understand high-density computing requirements
• Market Timing: AI boom coincides with crypto mining profitability challenges
• Scalability: Data centers can rapidly convert from mining to AI training workloads

Sector Comparisons:

• Similar transformations at RIOT, MARA, HUT showing 200-500% returns
• Enterprise AI spending projected to grow 40% annually through 2027
• Data center REITs commanding premium valuations for AI capability

Trading Strategy

If you want to gamble on this takeover:

Jump In Points

• Aggressive: Any dip to $15.50-16.00 - that’s your gift
• Conservative: Wait for the $12.50 retest - let this cool off first

Don’t Get Stupid

• Stop: Under $14.50 - if M&A hopes die, this crashes hard
• Size: M&A plays are pure gambling - size like it

Where To Take Money

• First: $20 - big psychological level, some will sell there
• Second: $22 - that’s probably fair value for a takeout
• Final: $25-28 - if a bidding war starts

M&A trades are binary. They either work spectacularly or blow up in your face. Choose wisely.

When to Take Profits on CORZ?

M&A situations require different strategies:

• Scale out 1/3 at $18-20 (quick profits on speculation)
• Hold 1/3 for potential deal announcement
• Keep 1/3 with tight stops for volatility trading

Key Levels to Watch

• Support: $15.50 (today’s afternoon low), $14.50 (news break level), $12.50 (breakout point)
• Resistance: $17.00 (near today’s high), $20 (psychological), $22+ (takeout premium zone)
• Stop Loss: $14.50 (below acquisition speculation trigger)

What Price Target for CORZ Stock?

M&A speculation targets based on comparable deals:

• Conservative: $18-20 (modest takeout premium)
• Base Case: $22 (30-35% premium to pre-news levels)
• Bullish: $25-28 (50%+ premium if bidding war develops)

AI Infrastructure Consolidation Trend

Several factors support continued M&A activity in the AI data center space:

• Capacity Scarcity: Enterprise AI demand far exceeding available compute
• Speed to Market: Acquisitions faster than building new facilities
• Power Infrastructure: Existing facilities have critical utility relationships
• Operational Expertise: Proven teams managing high-density computing
• Strategic Value: First-mover advantage in AI cloud services

The Bottom Line

When a growth rocket like CoreWeave comes back for seconds, that’s not desperation - that’s determination. They need CORZ’s assets more than CORZ needs to sell. That’s the setup for premium pricing.

Today’s explosion on record volume tells me institutional money thinks this deal actually happens this time. The fact we held near the highs despite 88 million shares changing hands? That’s conviction.

AI infrastructure is the new gold rush, and CoreWeave needs picks and shovels. CORZ has them. Math is simple: desperate buyer + scarce asset = premium price. The only question is how big that premium gets.

With AI workloads exploding and data center capacity remaining scarce, Core Scientific’s transformation from crypto mining to AI infrastructure positions it as an ideal acquisition target. The technical setup supports a move toward $20-25 if deal speculation intensifies, particularly if competing bidders emerge or CoreWeave increases their offer to overcome previous deal obstacles.

What to Watch Tomorrow

• Any company chatter about the deal - silence usually means talks are real
• Can it hold $15.50? That’s the line in the sand
• Volume needs to stay hot - 20M+ minimum or the story’s dying
• Competing bidders? That would get really spicy really quick
• Overnight M&A news could send this thing parabolic
• Gap above $17 and we’re testing $20 before lunch

M&A plays are pure adrenaline. Either strap in or stay away.

The convergence of strategic acquisition interest, technical breakout, and AI infrastructure consolidation theme makes CORZ one of the most compelling M&A speculation plays in the current market environment.