OpenAI Unleashes Billion-Dollar Stock Cash-Out for Employees – Early Payday or AI Bubble Sugar High?

OpenAI just handed its team a golden ticket—billions in vested stock suddenly up for grabs. Is this a reward for building the future… or a clever exit before the hype fades?

Silicon Valley’s favorite lab turns paper wealth into Lamborghinis. Employees can now liquidate their shares in a tender offer reportedly valuing OpenAI at a staggering $86 billion. That’s more than the GDP of some countries—for a company that still gives its tech away for free.

VCs are circling like sharks. The move lets early staff cash out without waiting for an IPO—a growing trend as tech firms delay public listings. Smart retention play? Or a sign even insiders want off this rocket ship before the engines sputter?

One banker’s take: ‘When the cooks start selling their own broth, check the expiration date.’ Meanwhile, crypto degens nod approvingly—this is just a private-market version of their ‘dump tokens on retail’ playbook.

OpenAI Aims for $500 Billion Valuation, Allows Employees to Cash Out Stocks

OpenAI’s ChatGPT has seen its revenues double in the first seven months of 2025. Its annualized run rate is at $12 billion, and experts predict it is on track to reach $20 billion by the year-end. ChatGPT products boast of 700 million active users every week and saw a surge of 400 million since February. It also raised $40 billion in funding from Japan’s SoftBank Group. If OpenAI allocates stocks to employees and allows them to cash out, they would attract top talent globally. Several other AI firms are paying big packages to attract talent and build their projects.