SoftBank Raises Record $11.1B Bond Sale to Fund AI Bets
SoftBank Group has raised $11.1 billion through a record high-yield bond sale as the Japanese technology investor looks to finance its growing artificial intelligence portfolio. The September 24 issuance is the largest high-yield corporate bond sale globally, according to LSEG data, surpassing a $10.9 billion deal by France’s Numericable in 2014.
The fundraising comes as SoftBank increases its exposure to AI across large language models, data centers, semiconductors and robotics. The company has committed a total of $64.6 billion to OpenAI, with the final $10 billion tranche of its broader $30 billion 2026 commitment due to be funded.
SoftBank Issues Bonds Across Dollar and Euro Markets
The new financing consists of three dollar-denominated senior-note tranches worth $1 billion, $4.5 billion and $4.5 billion, with maturities of three and a half, five and a half, and seven and a half years.
The notes carry interest rates of 8.625%, 9.25% and 9.75%, respectively. SoftBank also issued two €500 million euro-denominated tranches with four- and six-year maturities, yielding 7.125% and 8%.
$10B OpenAI Payment Drives Fundraising
The proceeds will help SoftBank finance the final $10 billion portion of its $30 billion commitment to OpenAI. Once completed, SoftBank’s total investment in the ChatGPT maker will reach $64.6 billion, giving it an expected ownership stake of about 13%.
SoftBank has already raised additional debt this month, including a 1 trillion yen ($6.3 billion) corporate bond sale aimed at retail investors. The latest transaction therefore adds to a broader fundraising effort supporting the company’s expanding AI strategy.
AI Investments Extend Beyond OpenAI
SoftBank’s AI strategy extends across several parts of the technology supply chain. The company is pursuing investments in semiconductors, data-center infrastructure, large language model development and robotics as it seeks to build a broader AI-focused portfolio.
Its planned acquisition of ABB’s robotics business for $5.4 billion and the acquisition of DigitalBridge for $3.1 billion are among its other major technology investments. DigitalBridge focuses on digital infrastructure including data centers, fiber networks and related assets.
Record Debt Shows Scale of AI Financing
The bond sale illustrates how AI investment is increasingly extending into the corporate debt market. Reuters reported that high-yield bond issuance by SoftBank reached $14.6 billion during 2026, accounting for 63.4% of the Asia-Pacific and Japan high-yield corporate bond market.
SoftBank’s latest bonds also carry substantially higher interest rates than the company’s comparable 2021 dollar- and euro-denominated debt, which had yields ranging from 2.125% to 5.25%. The higher borrowing costs reflect the financing conditions facing the company as it expands its AI exposure.
SoftBank’s ability to continue funding its AI strategy will therefore remain closely linked to its access to capital markets and the performance of the assets underpinning its investment plans.
