OpenAI Warns Against Unauthorized Equity Sales Amid $300B Valuation and Jony Ive Acquisition Plans
OpenAI has issued a stern warning to investors and the public over unauthorized sales and investment schemes involving its equity, emphasizing that any transfer without the company’s written consent is invalid. In a blog post published on August 24, 2025, OpenAI clarified that all its shares are subject to strict transfer restrictions, and any sale, pledge, or derivative transaction without approval will be considered void.
The company highlighted that it has observed third parties promoting investment opportunities claiming to offer exposure to OpenAI equity. These schemes reportedly include direct share sales, special purpose vehicles (SPVs) holding OpenAI shares, tokenized equity products, and “forward” contracts. OpenAI stressed that it does not endorse or participate in any of these transactions and that such attempts to bypass transfer restrictions could invalidate the underlying equity.
Legal consequences could follow for those involved, as unauthorized transfers may breach U.S. federal and state securities laws. OpenAI warned that buyers or sellers participating in these schemes may face liability and that any transfer conducted outside the company’s consent framework could be rescinded. Investors are urged to exercise caution, as participating in these offers could result in losing their investment entirely.
The warning comes as OpenAI’s valuation continues to climb. Following an $8.3 billion funding round, including a $2.8 billion contribution from Dragoneer Investment Group, OpenAI’s valuation reached $300 billion, surpassing major firms like AMD and Coca-Cola. The company also recently closed a $40 billion round led by SoftBank earlier in 2025 and is in talks to sell employee shares, potentially lifting its valuation to $500 billion and making it the world’s most valuable private startup.
OpenAI advised the public to report any suspicious offers of its equity directly to the company via corp-legal@openai.com. The company’s strong enforcement of transfer restrictions underscores its commitment to safeguarding investors and maintaining compliance with securities laws, while it continues to expand its influence in the AI and technology sector.
Source: Nairametrics