OpenAI Issues Statement Regarding Robinhood’s Tokenized Shares
OpenAI recently made it clear that Robinhood’s sale of “OpenAI tokens” does not grant everyday consumers equity or stock in the company. In a post from its official newsroom account on X, OpenAI stated that they were not involved in facilitating the token sale and do not endorse Robinhood’s effort.
According to OpenAI, the “OpenAI tokens” being sold by Robinhood are not equivalent to OpenAI equity. Any transfer of OpenAI equity requires approval from the company, and OpenAI did not approve any transfer in this case. The company urged caution among consumers to avoid any misunderstandings about the nature of the tokens being sold.
Robinhood had announced earlier in the week that they would be selling tokenized shares of companies like OpenAI and SpaceX to individuals in the European Union. This move was seen as an attempt to provide retail investors with exposure to the equity of private companies through blockchain technology.
However, OpenAI emphasized that private companies like OpenAI and SpaceX do not offer stock to the general public, as they are privately held and choose their investors selectively. As a result, OpenAI distanced itself from Robinhood’s initiative.
In response to OpenAI’s stance, a spokesperson for Robinhood explained that the OpenAI tokens were part of a limited giveaway to offer retail investors indirect exposure through Robinhood’s ownership stake in a special purpose vehicle (SPV). This means that the tokens represent ownership in a vehicle that holds shares of OpenAI, rather than direct ownership of OpenAI equity.
While Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev acknowledged that the tokens do not represent traditional equity, he highlighted that they provide retail investors with exposure to private assets. Tenev expressed excitement about the potential for tokenization to revolutionize the way private companies engage with retail investors.
Despite Robinhood’s explanation, OpenAI chose not to provide further comments on the matter. Robinhood also did not address additional questions from media outlets regarding their SPV structure.
It is common for private companies to be cautious about how their equity is valued and distributed. In similar situations, startups have taken legal action to prevent unauthorized sales of their stock in secondary markets. While each case is unique, most companies prefer to maintain control over how their equity is transferred to investors.
In conclusion, OpenAI’s statement serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding the sale of tokenized assets and the importance of clarity and transparency in financial transactions involving private companies.
