SoftBank Seeks Record Loan of Up to $40 Billion for OpenAI Stake

SoftBank is pursuing a record $40 billion loan—its largest dollar-denominated borrowing ever—to primarily fund an investment in OpenAI, per insider sources. The deal would mark a major financial bet on AI, with SoftBank leveraging debt to secure a stake in the US-based tech leader behind ChatGPT. Timed for early 2026, the move reflects accelerating corporate competition to dominate AI infrastructure amid rapid advancements in generative models. The loan’s unprecedented scale underscores OpenAI’s valuation surge and SoftBank’s aggressive strategy to expand its AI portfolio beyond semiconductor and quantum ventures. If successful, the transaction could reshape AI funding dynamics, blending traditional finance with cutting-edge tech investments at historic levels.