Anthropic has raised $65 billion from investors at a $965 billion valuation in its latest funding round, overtaking OpenAI's most recent valuation as the two AI startups position themselves for potential public offerings this year.
The company announced the additional financing Thursday, with investment firms Altimeter Capital, Dragoneer, Greenoaks and Sequoia Capital leading the round. The valuation represents a dramatic jump from three months ago when Anthropic raised $30 billion at a $380 billion valuation. OpenAI's latest funding round in February put the ChatGPT maker at $852 billion.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive policymakers have expressed concern about the rapid consolidation of AI capabilities among a small number of well-funded companies. Senate Banking Committee members have signaled increased scrutiny of AI IPOs, citing the need to understand systemic risks to financial markets when companies reach valuations in the hundreds of billions.
Consumer advocacy groups have raised concerns about what limited public offerings would mean for transparency. Organizations including the Electronic Frontier Foundation have argued that publicly traded AI companies with government contracts face unique accountability questions that current Securities and Exchange Commission disclosure requirements may not adequately address.
"When companies this consequential to national interests go public, the American public deserves more than standard IPO disclosures," said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaking at a recent Senate hearing on AI oversight. "We need to understand what safeguards exist before these systems are integrated into critical infrastructure."
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative lawmakers have largely embraced the development as evidence of American innovation leadership in the global AI race against China. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., pointed to the valuations as proof that U.S. technology companies remain competitive without additional regulatory intervention.
Free-market advocates argue that investor confidence demonstrates market validation of AI's economic potential. The National Association of Manufacturers has highlighted that such investments create high-skilled jobs and generate returns for pension funds and retirement accounts across the country.
"These valuations reflect private investors who have done their due diligence," said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., ranking member on the Senate Commerce Committee. "The market is sending a clear signal that AI innovation is driving genuine economic value."
Business groups including the Chamber of Commerce have cautioned against regulatory approaches they say could drive investment overseas to competitor nations with fewer restrictions.
What the Numbers Show
Anthropic's valuation has grown from $380 billion three months ago to $965 billion in its latest funding round, representing a 154% increase. The company raised $65 billion in new capital in this single round.
OpenAI most recently raised funds at a $852 billion valuation in February. Elon Musk's SpaceX, which merged with xAI and is pursuing an IPO, is reportedly targeting a $1.75 trillion valuation.
Both Anthropic and OpenAI are expected to pursue public offerings in 2026, according to industry analysts familiar with their capital strategies. The AI sector has attracted more than $200 billion in venture capital investment over the past two years, according to data from PitchBook.
Anthropic separately announced Thursday that it plans wider release of its Mythos model, which can identify decades-old security vulnerabilities in software systems. The company acknowledged the model requires stronger cyber safeguards before general release and expects to make it available to all customers within weeks.
The Bottom Line
The rapid escalation of AI company valuations reflects both investor enthusiasm for the technology's potential and concerns about regulatory uncertainty ahead of anticipated public offerings.
Lawmakers on both sides have signaled they will closely examine these IPOs, though for different reasons. Progressive Democrats are focused on safety and accountability measures, while Republicans emphasize maintaining U.S. competitiveness against China.
What to watch: Congressional hearings scheduled for the coming months on AI company oversight, potential SEC review of disclosure requirements for companies with critical infrastructure applications, and whether Anthropic's Mythos model release proceeds as planned or faces additional regulatory scrutiny before wider deployment.