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A high-stakes corporate clash is unfolding at the crossroads of Bitcoin mining and AI. When CoreWeave (NYSE:CRWV) unveiled its $9 billion all-stock bid for Bitcoin miner Core Scientific (NASDAQ:CORZ) in July, investors balked–sending the latter’s shares down nearly 18%.

Now, with shareholders set to vote on the deal Oct. 30, opposition is mounting from all corners. But CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator isn’t backing down, making it clear that the company views the acquisition as optional rather than essential—and the price tag isn’t going up.

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Speaking to CNBC, Intrator described Core Scientific as “a nice to have, not a need to have”—a remark that underscores CoreWeave’s leverage ahead of next week’s shareholder vote. Despite rising opposition from investors and proxy advisors, Intrator confirmed that CoreWeave will not raise its offer, remaining “disappointed” by criticism while insisting the bid represents a “fair representation of the relative value of the two companies.”

Intrator told CNBC that the proposed price is the maximum CoreWeave is “willing to pay for them under all circumstances”—a firm stance that signals the AI company is prepared to walk away if shareholders reject the deal.

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CoreWeave pushed back against shareholder advisory firms’ criticism of its proposed acquisition of Core Scientific, disputing what it called an overemphasis on short-term stock performance and underscoring the strategic risks the Bitcoin miner would face if it remains independent.

Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis—the two leading proxy advisory firms—have both advised Core Scientific shareholders to reject the proposed sale to CoreWeave. Two Seas Capital, a significant Core Scientific investor, also urged shareholders to vote against the acquisition, calling it “underwhelming” given the company’s recent trading performance.

CEO Michael Intrator confirmed to CNBC that the offer is final, describing the acquisition as “nice to have, not a need to have.”