Markets
July 15, 2026
Is The Gulf Rebuilding Its Oil Network to Bypass the Strait of Hormuz?
- DeepSeek IPO plans are gaining traction as the AI startup reportedly nears $500 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and a $71 billion valuation
- The company has reportedly raised $7.4 billion, maintains gross margins above 50%, and is preparing for a potential listing on Shanghai’s STAR Market
- The move places DeepSeek alongside the OpenAI IPO and Anthropic IPO as investors watch the world’s biggest AI companies edge toward public markets
The DeepSeek IPO story is beginning to look like more than another fundraising rumor. As the Chinese AI startup reportedly approaches $500 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR), investors seem to be seeing how quickly it has built a profitable business. At the same time, the OpenAI IPO and Anthropic IPO remain on different timelines. They seem to be setting up an increasingly competitive race that could reshape the next chapter of the artificial intelligence industry.
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DeepSeek IPO Gains Momentum As Revenue Nears $500M
DeepSeek is quietly checking many of the boxes public market investors usually look for. According to reports, the company is nearing $500 million in annual recurring revenue. It has raised roughly $7.4 billion and is maintaining gross margins above 50% through paid access to its flagship V4 model.
Amidst this, new reports that DeepSeek is preparing for an eventual IPO have surfaced. The AI company is working with accounting firms and investment banks while targeting a listing on Shanghai’s technology-focused STAR Market. DeepSeek is also said to be structuring a second funding round that would allow it to raise US dollar-denominated capital from overseas investors. It has particular interest from Middle Eastern backers.
The startup’s reported valuation of around $71 billion reflects how quickly it has emerged as one of China’s most valuable AI companies. It comes just months after disrupting the industry with competitive large language models at significantly lower operating costs than many Western rivals.
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OpenAI and Anthropic IPO Are Taking Different Routes
While DeepSeek appears to be accelerating toward public markets, its biggest competitors are moving at a different pace. Anthropic’s IPO process officially began in June after the company confidentially submitted a draft S-1 registration statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It has yet to announce pricing or a listing date. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s IPO is now expected to be delayed until at least 2027. It should be noted that advisers reportedly recommend the company wait for stronger market conditions and potentially a higher valuation.
Taken together, the three companies show how the AI industry’s next phase is shifting beyond model launches and funding rounds. Investors are now watching which developer can translate rapid revenue growth into a successful public listing. For DeepSeek, the reported combination of fast-growing ARR, healthy margins, fresh capital, and IPO preparation suggests it may be entering that phase sooner than many expected.
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