Anthropic Eyes $20 Billion Funding Round, Boosting AI and Crypto-Linked Stocks

AI powerhouse Anthropic, best known as the creator of the Claude AI chatbot, is reportedly preparing to raise as much as $20 billion in new funding, a move that could value the company at an eye-watering $350 billion. According to a report by the Financial Times, the San Francisco-based artificial intelligence firm initially aimed for a $10 billion fundraising round, but overwhelming investor demand has pushed that figure significantly higher.

Sources familiar with the matter said that between $10 billion and $15 billion of the fresh capital could be secured as early as Tuesday, with the remaining funds expected to be finalized over the coming weeks. The investment round is being led by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC and U.S.-based investment firm Coatue, with Sequoia Capital also contributing a substantial amount. The deal highlights the intense global appetite for exposure to leading AI companies as artificial intelligence adoption accelerates across industries.

Anthropic has already attracted major backing from some of the world’s most influential technology companies. Microsoft has previously announced plans to invest $10 billion into the AI startup, while Nvidia has committed an additional $5 billion. These strategic investments further strengthen Anthropic’s position in the rapidly evolving AI ecosystem and underscore confidence in its long-term growth prospects.

The news has had a notable ripple effect across related markets, particularly among bitcoin miners that have diversified into artificial intelligence and high-performance computing infrastructure. Shares of IREN and Cipher Mining surged more than 12%, while Hut 8 and TeraWulf recorded gains exceeding 8%. Investors appear to be betting that companies with AI and HPC exposure stand to benefit from the massive capital inflows and expanding demand for computing power.

AI-linked cryptocurrencies are also seeing a modest lift. Near Protocol (NEAR), often associated with AI-driven blockchain applications, traded slightly higher following the report. As investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence continues to grow, Anthropic’s potential $20 billion funding round could mark one of the largest private capital raises in tech history, further cementing AI as a dominant force shaping both traditional and digital asset markets.