SoftBank Eyes $30 Billion OpenAI Investment in AI Arms Race
SoftBank Group is negotiating a potential $30 billion investment in OpenAI as part of a $100 billion funding round that could value the AI pioneer at $830 billion. The MOVE follows SoftBank's existing 11% stake acquired through a $41 billion December investment.
The capital infusion would accelerate OpenAI's infrastructure development, including its participation in Stargate - a $500 billion AI data center initiative. CEO Masayoshi Son's aggressive positioning contrasts with rivals like Google and Meta, who are pursuing alternative AI strategies.
Market observers note the deal could trigger volatility in AI-linked crypto assets including FET, AGIX, and RNDR as capital rotates toward foundational AI infrastructure plays.