SoftBank is exploring additional financing to support its investment stake in OpenAI, including a possible $10 billion to $20 billion bond sale, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Other outlets likewise report SoftBank is seeking a new $10 billion loan backed by its OpenAI stake.
According to the reports, SoftBank’s funding plans relate to refinancing debt used for its OpenAI investment, including a bridge loan described as about $40 billion secured earlier this year. NDTV and The Next Web say SoftBank recently secured a $10 billion loan backed by its OpenAI stake, and that the covenants may require cash to be posted or early repayment under certain conditions.
Bloomberg also frames the potential bond sale as part of broader refinancing options, with the final amount and timing not decided. It says the offering could be denominated in dollars and euros and could use a 144A format to reach US institutional investors. Some outlets highlight rising credit risk in the AI sector and how additional leverage could affect market pricing, though they attribute those views to market activity and credit-risk concerns rather than confirmed company plans.
