Alcoa Sells New York Smelter Site to NYDIG

Aluminum producer moves to expand Bitcoin mining operations at Massena East facility.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:15pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a polished aluminum ingot, a stack of Bitcoin tokens, and a sleek black computer server unit, symbolizing the intersection of traditional industry and the emerging cryptocurrency economy.The sale of Alcoa's New York smelter site to NYDIG signals the growing integration of cryptocurrency infrastructure within legacy industrial facilities.NYC Today

Alcoa, the global aluminum producer, is nearing a deal to sell its 1,300-acre smelter site in Massena, New York to NYDIG, a leading Bitcoin technology and financial services firm. The sale would allow NYDIG to significantly expand its existing Bitcoin mining operations at the Massena East facility, which has access to low-cost hydroelectric power.

Why it matters

The sale represents a strategic shift for Alcoa, moving away from traditional aluminum production towards embracing the growing Bitcoin mining industry. It also highlights the increasing integration of cryptocurrency infrastructure within legacy industrial facilities, as companies seek to capitalize on the energy-intensive nature of Bitcoin mining.

The details

Under the proposed deal, NYDIG would acquire the Massena East smelter site from Alcoa, which shuttered aluminum production at the facility in 2014. NYDIG already operates a Bitcoin mining data center on a portion of the property and the acquisition would allow the firm to scale up its mining operations significantly, taking advantage of the site's access to low-cost hydroelectric power.

  • Alcoa ceased aluminum production at the Massena East facility in 2014.
  • NYDIG currently operates a Bitcoin mining data center on a portion of the Massena East site.
  • The sale of the full 1,300-acre smelter site to NYDIG is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.

The players

Alcoa

A global aluminum producer that previously operated the Massena East smelter facility in New York.

NYDIG

A leading Bitcoin technology and financial services firm that is poised to acquire the Massena East site from Alcoa to expand its Bitcoin mining operations.

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What they’re saying

“This acquisition represents a strategic pivot for Alcoa as we focus on our core aluminum business and embrace the growth of the Bitcoin mining industry.”

— Roy Harvey, CEO, Alcoa

“The Massena East facility's access to low-cost renewable power makes it an ideal location to scale our Bitcoin mining operations and contribute to the growth of the cryptocurrency ecosystem.”

— Robert Gutmann, Co-Founder and CEO, NYDIG

What’s next

The sale of the Massena East smelter site from Alcoa to NYDIG is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approvals.

The takeaway

Alcoa's decision to sell its New York smelter site to NYDIG for Bitcoin mining operations reflects the growing integration of cryptocurrency infrastructure within legacy industrial facilities. This deal highlights how companies are seeking to capitalize on the energy-intensive nature of Bitcoin mining, particularly in areas with access to low-cost renewable power.