June 29, 2026, (Inside AI) — OpenAI is considering delaying its blockbuster initial public offering until 2027, stepping back from earlier plans to list this year. The artificial intelligence powerhouse behind ChatGPT seeks a valuation above $1 trillion, a threshold advisers warn may slip out of reach if it rushes to market in 2026.
Chief Executive Sam Altman is driving the push for the trillion-dollar milestone. The company filed a confidential draft registration with regulators in June, a procedural move that keeps a 2026 debut possible. But insiders say the timing remains fluid, with private-company flexibility weighing against public-market demands.
The potential delay sends tremors through the AI sector. Chip stocks dipped on the news, reflecting investor anxiety over demand signals. A delayed listing could cool the frenzy that has propelled rival Anthropic to a $965 billion valuation after its own June 2026 funding round.
OpenAI stressed the filing does not lock in a date. The company stated some plans are easier to pursue as a private company. However, the filing keeps the option open to list sooner if needed. It has reportedly engaged Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to steer the process.
Financial fundamentals underscore the valuation debate. OpenAI pulled in about $13 billion in revenue last year, with monthly revenue now around $2 billion. Yet it plans to spend roughly $600 billion on computing by 2030, a staggering outlay that tempers profit expectations. Its weekly user base hovers near 900 million people.
Anthropic’s own sprint toward a late-2026 listing adds urgency. OpenAI filed for its IPO shortly after its rival did, setting up a high-stakes race. The dueling timelines reflect a broader AI market test, where mega-listings serve as barometers for sustained investor appetite.
Advisers have cautioned that a 2026 listing could value OpenAI below $1 trillion. Waiting until 2027 could give it a stronger shot at that mark. The calculus hinges on revenue growth, cost containment, and the competitive landscape shaped by Anthropic and others.
SpaceX’s recent record IPO looms as an early indicator. Its performance may foreshadow how AI offerings are received. For OpenAI, the decision carries weight beyond its own balance sheet, potentially resetting expectations across the entire technology sector.
