SoftBank Cuts OpenAI Margin Loan Target by 40% to $6B
SoftBank has slashed its target for a margin loan backed by OpenAI shares by 40%, reducing the amount from approximately $10 billion to $6 billion, according to Bloomberg News.
The reduction, first reported by Bloomberg and confirmed by Reuters, comes as lenders weigh appetite for deals tied to private AI company valuations.
A margin loan of this type would allow SoftBank to borrow against its OpenAI equity stake, providing liquidity without requiring the Japanese conglomerate to sell its shares in the San Francisco-based AI lab. Bloomberg reported the reduced target reflects more conservative terms applied to collateral backed by private AI company equity.
The development comes as OpenAI completes a shift in its corporate structure, having recently transitioned from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity. SoftBank has been one of OpenAI’s most prominent backers, committing billions to the company as part of a broader push into artificial intelligence investments.
The reduced loan target could affect SoftBank’s ability to deploy capital toward other AI ventures without divesting its OpenAI position. The conglomerate, led by Masayoshi Son, has positioned AI as the centerpiece of its investment strategy, including its role in the Stargate infrastructure project announced earlier this year.
For OpenAI, the loan reduction does not directly impact the company’s own balance sheet, as the margin loan involves SoftBank borrowing against shares it already holds. However, the move signals how financial institutions are calibrating risk around even the most prominent AI companies as valuations in the sector face increased scrutiny.
Neither SoftBank nor OpenAI immediately responded to requests for comment on the reports.
