Tom Lee-Linked Eightco Expands OpenAI Equity Stake To $40 Million This Week

TLDR

• Eightco bought an additional $40 million equity stake in OpenAI on Friday.
• Eightco’s total investment in OpenAI now stands at $90 million.
• Tom Lee recently joined Eightco’s board of directors.
• Bitmine invested $75 million into Eightco, according to the report.
• Eightco is also the largest public holder of WLD, the report said.

Tom Lee-linked Eightco has increased its equity stake in OpenAI by another $40 million. The move takes Eightco’s total investment in the private AI company to $90 million. The Nasdaq-listed firm is building exposure to artificial intelligence and crypto assets tied to the World ecosystem.

Eightco adds to OpenAI position

Eightco Holdings Inc. said Friday that it acquired an additional $40 million equity stake in OpenAI. OpenAI is the company behind ChatGPT and was co-founded by Sam Altman. The new purchase lifts Eightco’s total investment in OpenAI to $90 million.

The company framed the move as part of its plan to give public market investors access to private technology firms. Eightco CEO Kevin O’Donnell said the investment offers retail shareholders exposure to a leading AI company. He said, “We believe our investment in OpenAI represents a transformative opportunity not only for ORBS, but for our shareholders.”

O’Donnell also said access to fast-growing private companies has often been limited to institutional investors. He added that Eightco wants to give retail investors more direct exposure through its public listing. The company trades on Nasdaq under the ticker ORBS.

Tom Lee connection adds market focus

Eightco has drawn added market attention because of its links to investor Tom Lee. Lee recently joined Eightco’s board of directors. He is also chairman of Bitmine Immersion Technologies, which has invested $75 million into Eightco.

That connection puts Eightco at the center of a wider network of AI and digital asset bets. Aside from its OpenAI position, Eightco holds about $24 million in Ethereum. It has also invested $25 million in Beast Industries, the media and consumer platform founded by Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast.

The company’s OpenAI purchase comes as investor interest in artificial intelligence remains strong. Public firms tied to private AI companies often attract attention because direct access is limited. Eightco is using that demand to shape its investment profile.

Broader World ecosystem strategy remains in place

Eightco is also tied closely to World, the crypto project backed by Sam Altman. The company is the largest public holder of WLD, the native token of the project, according to the report. Last year, Eightco launched a WLD treasury through a $250 million private placement.

The company said it now owns 10% of the total WLD supply. World is built around a proof-of-humanity system. Users receive an ID after verifying that they are human through an eye scan process.

Altman co-founded Tools for Humanity, which is the main developer behind World. That link places Eightco near both OpenAI and the World ecosystem. Friday’s announcement shows that Eightco continues to expand its position around Altman-linked technology businesses while Tom Lee’s association adds another point of market interest.

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