OpenAI is once again at the center of investor attention, as current and former employees look to sell nearly $6 billion worth of shares in a secondary transaction, according to a source familiar with the matter. If completed, the deal would raise the company’s valuation to an estimated $500 billion, a sharp increase from its most recent $300 billion figure.

The potential sale is drawing interest from several heavyweight backers, including SoftBank Group, Thrive Capital, and Dragoneer Investment Group, all of whom are existing OpenAI investors. While the firms have yet to comment, the talks — still in early stages — could reshape the ownership landscape of the artificial intelligence leader. Bloomberg News first reported the development.

A transaction of this scale would underscore both OpenAI’s meteoric growth and the fierce competition in the AI sector, where leading firms are racing not only for market share but also to attract and retain top engineering talent. The secondary sale also builds on SoftBank’s growing stake in OpenAI, following its leadership in the company’s $40 billion primary funding round earlier this year.

OpenAI’s financial performance provides context for the heightened valuation. Fueled by its flagship product, ChatGPT, the company doubled its revenue in the first seven months of 2025, reaching an annualized run rate of $12 billion. Projections suggest revenue could climb to $20 billion by year’s end, according to earlier Reuters reports.

On the user side, ChatGPT continues to expand its reach, with about 700 million weekly active users as of August — a significant leap from 400 million in February. The rapid adoption reflects the widespread integration of generative AI across industries, from business solutions to everyday consumer use.

While details of the share sale are yet to be finalized, the potential $500 billion valuation positions OpenAI among the world’s most valuable private companies, cementing its role as a central player in the AI revolution.