SoftBank Group (TYO:9984) is seeking a $10 billion loan secured by its shares in U.S. artificial intelligence firm OpenAI, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The proposed margin loan, which would use the company’s OpenAI stake as collateral, underscores the Japanese conglomerate’s deepening push into artificial intelligence as it takes on additional debt to fund investments in the sector.
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Tokyo-listed SoftBank shares traded 6% higher on Thursday, in line with broader market moves.
According to the report, the loan would have a two-year term with an option to extend by one year, though discussions are ongoing and terms could change.
The move comes as SoftBank accelerates its AI strategy under founder Masayoshi Son, having already committed tens of billions of dollars to OpenAI through its Vision Fund.
Last month, the company secured a $40 billion bridge loan to support its growing investments in the ChatGPT maker and for general corporate purposes, highlighting its increasing reliance on leverage to finance its AI ambitions.
