SoftBank borrows $11.1B to pay OpenAI’s $10B tranche
SoftBank raised a record $11.1 billion in junk bonds on September 24, 2026—the largest high-yield corporate bond issuance ever—to complete a $10 billion follow-on investment in OpenAI. The deal pushed SoftBank’s total stake in the AI lab to $64.6 billion, or about 13% of OpenAI’s valuation, according to the company’s own figures. The bond terms reflect high risk: coupons ranged from 8.625% to…
Key points
- SoftBank raised $11.1B in junk bonds on September 24, 2026—the largest high-yield issuance ever—primarily to fund OpenAI’s $10B tranche
- Total investment in OpenAI now stands at $64.6B, giving SoftBank a ~13% stake, with bond coupons ranging from 8.625% to 9.75%
- SoftBank’s stock dropped 38% since June 2026, and its credit risk surged 24% amid recent acquisitions worth $8.5B total
The move follows SoftBank’s recent acquisitions of ABB’s robotics business for $5.4 billion and DigitalBridge for $3.1 billion. CEO Masayoshi Son now faces higher debt obligations—$9.75% annually on the longest-term notes—regardless of OpenAI’s performance. SoftBank’s stock has fallen 38% since June 2026, and its credit default swap spreads widened 24% over the same period. The bond sale underscores Son’s aggressive AI bets, positioning SoftBank alongside Amazon and Nvidia as a top backer in the sector.
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SoftBank’s record $11.1 billion junk bond sale raises the stakes on Son’s AI bets
cryptobriefing.com · 12 October 2026
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