SoftBank Group has announced a $50 million investment in Cipher Mining through a private investment in public equity (PIPE) at a price of $4.80 per share. This investment gives SoftBank ownership of approximately 10.4 million shares of Cipher, a Texas-based Bitcoin mining company. Following the announcement, shares of Cipher Mining (CIFR) experienced a notable increase, rising by 13.6% in pre-market trading. The investment is seen as a strategic move, aligning SoftBank's interests in AI and energy with the Bitcoin mining sector, and may signal the beginning of further collaborations in this space. Other companies in the sector, such as Core Scientific and Riot, are also engaging with major tech players, indicating a growing trend of partnerships within the industry.