Anthropic deploys its data centers worldwide: the race for exaflops enters a new phase

Context

Anthropic is accelerating its global deployment. Job postings published on 06/25/2026 reveal the recruitment of infrastructure engineers in Australia and Japan, signaling an expansion of compute capacity outside the United States. Meanwhile, Anthropic is engaged in a dispute with Alibaba (alleged illicit extraction of Claude's capabilities) - a sign that competition for AI infrastructure is taking on a direct geopolitical dimension.

Data

• Anthropic valuation: ~$61.5B (early 2026); funding > $7.5B, including $2.5B from Google/Amazon.
• AWS as primary cloud partner; Google Cloud as secondary.
• Estimated inference consumption: 0.001-0.01 kWh/request → ~10 GWh/year for 10M daily intensive users.
• Confirmed target markets: Australia, Japan (CNBC recruitments, 06/25) - compliance with local regulations (Privacy Act, APPI).
• Thread context: Backblaze/CoreWeave ($355M), Argentum AI ($4.1B / 27,000 GB300 GPUs) - Anthropic adds a global inference dimension to the GPU cloud vertical.

Analysis

Anthropic operates in a hyperscaler-dependent model: colocation via AWS/Google Cloud, no direct capex. The expansion addresses two imperatives - reducing inference latency (perceived quality drops beyond 300 ms) and respecting local data sovereignty. The real bottleneck is not capital but certified low-carbon energy at industrial scale. The Alibaba dispute amplifies the need for secure infrastructure and signals the growing geopoliticization of frontier models.

Probabilistic Scenarios

• Base (55%): 4 to 6 active regions by end-2026 via colocation. Stable valuation ~$60B.
• Accelerated (30%): Sovereign PPA or dedicated data center → valuation > $80B.
• Constrained (15%): GB200 GPU shortage + EU AI Act → 12-18 month delay; dispute impacts API reputation.

Portfolio Implications

Indirect play: AMZN (AWS), EQIX/DLR (colocation), NextEra/Iberdrola (renewable PPAs). Alibaba dispute weighs on BABA (16-month low observed on 06/25).

Risks & Blind Spots

Total dependence on Nvidia GPUs; AWS exclusivity clause; EU AI Act on frontier systems. Accounting opacity without visible IPO.

To Monitor

• Green energy PPA contracts (Australia, Japan).
• Evolution of the Anthropic/Alibaba dispute.
• Infrastructure recruitments in other regions.