OpenAI has issued a strong warning to investors and the general public about unauthorized sales of its equity, cautioning that any transfer of its shares without the company’s written consent is void.
The company disclosed this in a blog post on Sunday, August 24, stressing that all OpenAI equity is bound by strict transfer restrictions. It stated that no equity can be transferred, pledged, or encumbered unless approved in writing, and any attempt to bypass this requirement holds no legal weight.
OpenAI explained that it had become aware of third-party schemes offering supposed exposure to its equity. These unauthorized investment products reportedly include direct equity sales, investments in special purpose vehicles (SPVs) that own OpenAI shares, tokenized interests in its equity or in SPVs, and forward contracts or similar arrangements. The company emphasized that it does not endorse, recognize, or participate in such transactions, adding that they violate its rules and render the equity invalid.
The artificial intelligence firm further highlighted potential legal consequences, warning that these unauthorized transfers may breach U.S. federal and state securities laws. Both buyers and sellers could face liability, and such transactions may be rescinded entirely.
While acknowledging that not all equity-linked investment opportunities are fraudulent, OpenAI cautioned that many are structured to sidestep its restrictions, leaving investors at risk of losing their money. The company reiterated that it will strictly enforce its rules against any form of direct or indirect unauthorized sale. Investors approached with such offers were urged to exercise caution and report suspicious cases via [[email protected]]
This warning comes at a time when OpenAI has cemented its position as one of the world’s most valuable private companies. In recent months, it secured $8.3 billion in funding that raised its valuation to $300 billion, surpassing legacy corporations such as AMD, Coca-Cola, and General Electric. That deal included a notable $2.8 billion investment from Dragoneer Investment Group.
In March 2025, the company raised an additional $40 billion in a SoftBank-led funding round, nearly doubling its October 2024 valuation of $157 billion and bringing its total capital raised to nearly $58 billion. OpenAI is also holding early-stage talks to allow employees to sell their shares in a move that could push its valuation as high as $500 billion, potentially making it the most valuable private startup in the world.
At a $300 billion valuation in 2025, OpenAI already ranks among the globe’s leading tech giants and unicorns, standing shoulder to shoulder with companies in the S\&P 500 and underscoring the scale of investor confidence in artificial intelligence.
