OpenAI's $40 billion funding round has elevated its valuation to $300 billion, making it one of the world's most valuable private companies.
This exclusive club includes Elon Musk's SpaceX, China's ByteDance, and payment processor Stripe.
OpenAI is
set to raise up to $40 billion in a landmark funding round led by SoftBank
Group, valuing the artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT at $300
billion, nearly doubling its previous valuation.
OpenAI Secures $40 Billion
Investment Led by SoftBank at $300 Billion Valuation
The
Japanese investment giant has committed to providing $10 billion in mid-April,
with an additional $30 billion planned for December. The December investment is
contingent upon OpenAI successfully transitioning to a for-profit structure by
year-end.
Gil Luria of D.A. Davidson & Co.
“OpenAI
has very ambitious plans on many fronts and needs a lot of capital to achieve
these goals,” industry analyst Gil Luria of D.A. Davidson & Co. commented for Reuters.
SoftBank
intends to syndicate $10 billion of its total investment to other investors.
The remaining funding is expected to come from existing backers including
Microsoft, Coatue Management, Altimeter Capital, and Thrive Capital.
If OpenAI fails to complete
its planned restructuring, SoftBank's total investment will be reduced to $20
billion.
Expanding AI Capabilities
The San
Francisco-based AI developer plans to use the massive capital infusion to
advance its research initiatives, expand computational infrastructure, and
enhance its suite of AI tools. OpenAI highlighted its goal to deliver
increasingly powerful capabilities to the 500 million people who currently use
ChatGPT on a weekly basis.
The funding
comes amid surging investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence
technologies, driven by the widespread adoption of chatbots and the emergence of
sophisticated AI agents across industries. Enterprises have increasingly
integrated AI solutions to streamline operations and improve customer
experiences.
As part of
its growth strategy, OpenAI announced plans to establish a public benefit
corporation structure. This new framework aims to attract additional investment
while balancing shareholder interests with broader public benefits.
The company
is also partnering with SoftBank and Oracle on the ambitious $500 billion
Stargate project, which will establish a network of data centers designed to
power AI workloads across the United States.
Valuation Milestone
The new
funding round, which follows a $6.6 billion raise in October that valued OpenAI
at $157 billion, propels the AI developer into the ranks of the world's most
valuable private companies. This exclusive club includes Elon Musk's SpaceX,
China's ByteDance, and payment processor Stripe.
SoftBank
plans to finance its initial $10 billion investment through borrowings from
Mizuho Bank and other financial institutions, with legal advice provided by
Morrison Foerster.
Musk's Failed OpenAI
Takeover Bid
In
February, Elon Musk led
an ambitious $97.4 billion takeover attempt of OpenAI. Altman promptly
rejected the unsolicited offer, responding with a cheeky counter-proposal to
purchase Musk's X platform for $9.74 billion instead.
The
rejection underscores the intensifying conflict between the two tech titans.
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but departed following governance
disagreements, has repeatedly criticized the organization for abandoning its
original nonprofit mission. Meanwhile, Altman maintains that transitioning to a
for-profit structure is essential for securing the massive capital needed to
advance AI research and development.
Shortly
after his OpenAI acquisition attempt failed, Musk's
AI company xAI unveiled Grok-3, a significant upgrade to its chatbot platform.
The new model, which xAI claims was trained with ten times more computing power
than its predecessor, features enhanced reasoning capabilities and a new
“DeepSearch” function designed to compete directly with ChatGPT.
According to xAI, Grok-3 outperforms rival models in mathematical reasoning and
complex problem-solving benchmarks.
OpenAI is
set to raise up to $40 billion in a landmark funding round led by SoftBank
Group, valuing the artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT at $300
billion, nearly doubling its previous valuation.
OpenAI Secures $40 Billion
Investment Led by SoftBank at $300 Billion Valuation
The
Japanese investment giant has committed to providing $10 billion in mid-April,
with an additional $30 billion planned for December. The December investment is
contingent upon OpenAI successfully transitioning to a for-profit structure by
year-end.
Gil Luria of D.A. Davidson & Co.
“OpenAI
has very ambitious plans on many fronts and needs a lot of capital to achieve
these goals,” industry analyst Gil Luria of D.A. Davidson & Co. commented for Reuters.
SoftBank
intends to syndicate $10 billion of its total investment to other investors.
The remaining funding is expected to come from existing backers including
Microsoft, Coatue Management, Altimeter Capital, and Thrive Capital.
If OpenAI fails to complete
its planned restructuring, SoftBank's total investment will be reduced to $20
billion.
Expanding AI Capabilities
The San
Francisco-based AI developer plans to use the massive capital infusion to
advance its research initiatives, expand computational infrastructure, and
enhance its suite of AI tools. OpenAI highlighted its goal to deliver
increasingly powerful capabilities to the 500 million people who currently use
ChatGPT on a weekly basis.
The funding
comes amid surging investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence
technologies, driven by the widespread adoption of chatbots and the emergence of
sophisticated AI agents across industries. Enterprises have increasingly
integrated AI solutions to streamline operations and improve customer
experiences.
As part of
its growth strategy, OpenAI announced plans to establish a public benefit
corporation structure. This new framework aims to attract additional investment
while balancing shareholder interests with broader public benefits.
The company
is also partnering with SoftBank and Oracle on the ambitious $500 billion
Stargate project, which will establish a network of data centers designed to
power AI workloads across the United States.
Valuation Milestone
The new
funding round, which follows a $6.6 billion raise in October that valued OpenAI
at $157 billion, propels the AI developer into the ranks of the world's most
valuable private companies. This exclusive club includes Elon Musk's SpaceX,
China's ByteDance, and payment processor Stripe.
SoftBank
plans to finance its initial $10 billion investment through borrowings from
Mizuho Bank and other financial institutions, with legal advice provided by
Morrison Foerster.
Musk's Failed OpenAI
Takeover Bid
In
February, Elon Musk led
an ambitious $97.4 billion takeover attempt of OpenAI. Altman promptly
rejected the unsolicited offer, responding with a cheeky counter-proposal to
purchase Musk's X platform for $9.74 billion instead.
The
rejection underscores the intensifying conflict between the two tech titans.
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but departed following governance
disagreements, has repeatedly criticized the organization for abandoning its
original nonprofit mission. Meanwhile, Altman maintains that transitioning to a
for-profit structure is essential for securing the massive capital needed to
advance AI research and development.
Shortly
after his OpenAI acquisition attempt failed, Musk's
AI company xAI unveiled Grok-3, a significant upgrade to its chatbot platform.
The new model, which xAI claims was trained with ten times more computing power
than its predecessor, features enhanced reasoning capabilities and a new
“DeepSearch” function designed to compete directly with ChatGPT.
According to xAI, Grok-3 outperforms rival models in mathematical reasoning and
complex problem-solving benchmarks.
Damian's adventure with financial markets began at the Cracow University of Economics, where he obtained his MA in finance and accounting. Starting from the retail trader perspective, he collaborated with brokerage houses and financial portals in Poland as an independent editor and content manager. His adventure with Finance Magnates began in 2016, where he is working as a business intelligence analyst.
Revolut Sees Easier Path Into US Banking Without Buying a Bank
Hannah Hill on Innovation, Branding & Award-Winning Technology | Executive Interview | AXI
Hannah Hill on Innovation, Branding & Award-Winning Technology | Executive Interview | AXI
Recorded live at FMLS:25, this executive interview features Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at AXI, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following AXI’s win for Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Hannah shares insights on:
🔹What winning the Finance Magnates award means for AXI’s credibility and innovation
🔹How the launch of AXI Select, the capital allocation program, is redefining industry standards
🔹The development and rollout of the AXI trading app across multiple markets
🔹Driving brand evolution alongside technological advancements
🔹Encouraging and recognizing teams behind the scenes
🔹The role of marketing, content, and social media in building product awareness
Hannah explains why standout products, strategic branding, and a focus on innovation are key to growing visibility and staying ahead in a competitive brokerage landscape.
🏆 Award Highlight: Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #MostInnovativeBroker #TradingTechnology #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview #AXI
Recorded live at FMLS:25, this executive interview features Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at AXI, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following AXI’s win for Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Hannah shares insights on:
🔹What winning the Finance Magnates award means for AXI’s credibility and innovation
🔹How the launch of AXI Select, the capital allocation program, is redefining industry standards
🔹The development and rollout of the AXI trading app across multiple markets
🔹Driving brand evolution alongside technological advancements
🔹Encouraging and recognizing teams behind the scenes
🔹The role of marketing, content, and social media in building product awareness
Hannah explains why standout products, strategic branding, and a focus on innovation are key to growing visibility and staying ahead in a competitive brokerage landscape.
🏆 Award Highlight: Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #MostInnovativeBroker #TradingTechnology #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview #AXI
Executive Interview | Dor Eligula | Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, BridgeWise | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Dor Eligula | Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, BridgeWise | FMLS:25
In this session, Jonathan Fine form Ultimate Group speaks with Dor Eligula from Bridgewise, a fast-growing AI-powered research and analytics firm supporting brokers and exchanges worldwide.
We start with Dor’s reaction to the Summit and then move to broker growth and the quick wins brokers often overlook. Dor shares where he sees “blue ocean” growth across Asian markets and how local client behaviour shapes demand.
We also discuss the rollout of AI across investment research. Dor gives real examples of how automation and human judgment meet at Bridgewise — including moments when analysts corrected AI output, and times when AI prevented an error.
We close with a practical question: how retail investors can actually use AI without falling into common traps.
In this session, Jonathan Fine form Ultimate Group speaks with Dor Eligula from Bridgewise, a fast-growing AI-powered research and analytics firm supporting brokers and exchanges worldwide.
We start with Dor’s reaction to the Summit and then move to broker growth and the quick wins brokers often overlook. Dor shares where he sees “blue ocean” growth across Asian markets and how local client behaviour shapes demand.
We also discuss the rollout of AI across investment research. Dor gives real examples of how automation and human judgment meet at Bridgewise — including moments when analysts corrected AI output, and times when AI prevented an error.
We close with a practical question: how retail investors can actually use AI without falling into common traps.
Brendan Callan joined us fresh off the Summit’s most anticipated debate: “Is Prop Trading Good for the Industry?” Brendan argued against the motion — and the audience voted him the winner.
In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences.
We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading.
This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.
Brendan Callan joined us fresh off the Summit’s most anticipated debate: “Is Prop Trading Good for the Industry?” Brendan argued against the motion — and the audience voted him the winner.
In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences.
We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading.
This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.
Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse
Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse
Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025.
🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on:
🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation
🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth
🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations
🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords
🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally
🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy
🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t
Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market.
🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview
Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025.
🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on:
🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation
🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth
🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations
🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords
🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally
🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy
🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t
Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market.
🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview
In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles.
We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading.
You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts.
We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services.
Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance.
📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage.
Connect with us:
🔗 LinkedIn: /financemagnates
👍 Facebook: /financemagnates
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financemagnates
🐦 X: https://x.com/financemagnates
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/financemagnates
▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official
#Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights
In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles.
We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading.
You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts.
We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services.
Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance.
📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage.
Connect with us:
🔗 LinkedIn: /financemagnates
👍 Facebook: /financemagnates
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financemagnates
🐦 X: https://x.com/financemagnates
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/financemagnates
▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official
#Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights
