The artificial intelligence revolution is about to get its most significant litmus test yet. OpenAI is laying the groundwork for an initial public offering that could value the company at up to $1 trillion, in what could be one of the biggest IPOs of all time. For traders and investors monitoring the financial markets through platforms like VT Markets, this development represents a seismic shift that could influence everything from tech valuations to market sentiment across multiple asset classes.

OpenAI IPO Plans: The Timeline and What We Know

The OpenAI stock IPO has moved from speculation to serious preparation. OpenAI is considering filing with securities regulators as soon as the second half of 2026, with preliminary discussions looking at raising $60 billion at the low end and likely more. According to sources close to the matter, Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar has told some associates the company is aiming for a 2027 listing, but some predict it could come even sooner, around late 2026.

Why the $1 Trillion Valuation Matters for Market Participants

To put this in perspective, the current record for money raised in a single IPO was Saudi Aramco, which raised $25.6 billion in December 2019, whilst the second-highest and the largest tech IPO to date was Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., which raised $26 billion in 2014. OpenAI’s potential $60 billion raise would obliterate these records, potentially raising more than both combined.

OpenAI’s Revenue Trajectory in 2025

The financial metrics underpinning OpenAI IPO plans are staggering:

OpenAI hit $12 billion in annual recurring revenue by July 2025, with revenue doubling during the first seven months of 2025. This acceleration is unprecedented in tech history. What took Google and Facebook 8 years and Netflix over two decades, OpenAI achieved in roughly 3 years.

For traders on VT Markets monitoring tech sector performance, these numbers signal massive momentum that extends beyond OpenAI itself, influencing valuations across the AI ecosystem.

The Strategic Restructuring Behind the OpenAI Stock IPO

Understanding the OpenAI IPO status requires appreciating the complex corporate transformation that made it possible. This week, OpenAI revamped itself so that it is still controlled by a nonprofit, now called the OpenAI Foundation, but the nonprofit has a 26% stake in OpenAI Group and a warrant to receive additional shares if the company hits certain milestones.

This restructuring achieves several critical objectives:

• Removes capital raising constraints that limited the previous structure
• Reduces dependency on Microsoft, whose ownership stake now stands at approximately 27%
• Creates an IPO-ready corporate structure that appeals to public market investors
• Maintains mission alignment through the nonprofit foundation’s control

The company secured approval from California regulators after CEO Sam Altman promised to keep the company headquartered in the state, ending a tense standoff with California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office. This political manoeuvring demonstrates the strategic preparation behind OpenAI IPO plans.

Market Implications and Trading Considerations

For the discerning trader utilising VT Markets to access global financial markets, the OpenAI stock IPO creates several investment themes worth monitoring:

Immediate Market Impact

1. Tech sector rotation: Capital may shift towards AI-exposed stocks in anticipation
2. Competitor positioning: Companies like Anthropic, Google DeepMind, and Meta AI will see increased scrutiny
3. Infrastructure plays: Nvidia, Microsoft, and cloud providers stand to benefit
4. Volatility opportunities: IPO uncertainty creates tradeable volatility across related names

The Profitability Challenge

Despite impressive revenue growth, OpenAI reported a loss of $5 billion in 2024 on $3.7 billion in revenue, with projections to lose $14 billion by 2026. The company projects annual sales of up to $100 billion by 2029 and hopes to turn cash flow positive in 2029, generating approximately $2 billion in cash that year.

This creates an interesting dynamic for traders. Traditional valuation metrics suggest extreme premium pricing, yet the growth trajectory and market positioning remain unparalleled. On VT Markets, sophisticated traders can position across multiple instruments to capture various scenarios as the IPO approaches.

The Broader AI Investment Landscape

The significance of OpenAI IPO plans extends beyond a single company. Earlier this year, AI cloud company Core Weave went public at a $23 billion valuation and has roughly tripled since, whilst Nvidia became the first company to reach a $5 trillion market value, powered by a rally that has cemented its role at the centre of the global AI boom.

This demonstrates robust public market appetite for AI exposure. A successful OpenAI offering would mark a major win for investors such as SoftBank, Thrive Capital and Abu Dhabi’s MGX, with Microsoft, one of its biggest backers, now owning about 27% of the company after investing $13 billion.

Positioning for the AI Investment Era

The OpenAI IPO represents more than just another tech company going public. It’s a watershed moment that will define how markets value artificial intelligence for the next decade. Whether the listing occurs in late 2026 or 2027, traders and investors must prepare now for the ripple effects across multiple asset classes.

At VT Markets, we provide the tools, insights, and execution capabilities needed to navigate these transformative market events. As OpenAI IPO plans crystallise, positioning yourself ahead of major developments could prove decisive for portfolio performance.

The question isn’t whether the OpenAI stock IPO will be significant—it’s whether you’ll be prepared to capitalise on it when it arrives.