SoftBank Raises $11.1 Billion in Jumbo Bond Sale to Fund AI Investments

SoftBank Group Corp. raised $11.1 billion through dollar- and euro-denominated bonds as the Japanese conglomerate seeks to finance its large investment in artificial intelligence, Janice Huang and Harry Suhartono reported for Reuters.

SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son is using debt financing to support the Japanese conglomerate’s investments in OpenAI and the broader artificial intelligence sector. [Photo: MIKI Yoshihito]

Reuters reported that the completed transaction was the largest high-yield bond sale on record by an Asia-Pacific issuer.

The offering comprised $10 billion of dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes and €1 billion of euro-denominated notes. The debt is intended in part to fund SoftBank’s follow-on investment in OpenAI.

The dollar notes were divided into three maturities of 3.5, 5.5 and 7.5 years, while the euro notes were split into four- and six-year maturities. 

Reuters reported that the proceeds would primarily cover SoftBank’s $10 billion payment for the third tranche of its OpenAI investment, expected to close on Oct. 1, with the remainder available for general corporate purposes.

The bond sale is part of SoftBank’s broader effort to finance its commitments to OpenAI and other investments in AI.

Reuters reported that SoftBank had previously arranged a $10 billion bridge loan for the OpenAI investment, which the new bond proceeds are intended to replace.

SoftBank is among the companies using debt markets to finance the capital-intensive AI boom. Reuters reported that Goldman Sachs credit strategists estimated global AI-related debt issuance had already topped $575 billion in 2026.