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SoftBank Seeks $40B Bridge Loan to Finance OpenAI Investment Stake

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SoftBank Group is seeking a bridge loan of up to $40 billion — its largest-ever borrowing denominated solely in US dollars — to help finance its planned investment in OpenAI, Bloomberg reported on March 6, 2026. The record borrowing reflects SoftBank's aggressive bet on AI infrastructure, with the company having previously committed to a $100 billion investment in the US AI ecosystem under the Stargate initiative alongside OpenAI and Oracle. The loan is a bridge instrument intended to cover SoftBank's obligations to OpenAI before SoftBank closes longer-term capital raises or divests other assets.

Key Takeaways

  • SoftBank seeking up to $40B bridge loan — largest-ever dollar-denominated borrowing by the company — to finance its investment in OpenAI; reported by Bloomberg, March 6, 2026
  • Loan is bridge financing for SoftBank's OpenAI commitment as part of the $500B Stargate initiative; SoftBank leads Stargate as the majority financial backer alongside OpenAI and Oracle
  • Bridge loan to be repaid from longer-term capital raises or asset disposals; SoftBank has recently monetized ARM shares and other holdings to fund AI investments

Original source: Bloomberg / Techmeme