OpenAI Reportedly Exploring Share Sale at $500 Billion Valuation

OpenAI is reportedly in preliminary discussions to launch a secondary share sale that would value the artificial intelligence firm at $500 billion, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

If finalized, this would mark a sharp increase from earlier reports that valued the company at around $300 billion, signaling strong investor confidence in OpenAI’s growth potential and market dominance in generative AI.

Employee Liquidity at the Core of the Deal

According to the report, the potential deal would involve a secondary transaction, allowing current and former OpenAI employees to sell shares. These types of sales provide liquidity to early team members and insiders without the need for a full public offering.

User Growth and Recent Fundraising Boost Valuation

The news comes on the heels of OpenAI announcing that its flagship product, ChatGPT, has reached 700 million weekly active users, up from 500 million in March—a sign of rapid user adoption across global markets.

In addition, the company recently raised $8.3 billion from several major investors. The funding is part of a broader $40 billion round led by SoftBank, further underscoring the market’s bullish sentiment on OpenAI’s future prospects.

Operational Challenges Persist

Despite the momentum, OpenAI is also facing some headwinds. Reports suggest the company and SoftBank are struggling to launch their joint "Stargate" project, a planned AI data center initiative. Additionally, analysts expect OpenAI’s cash burn to accelerate in 2025, raising questions about the sustainability of its current growth trajectory.