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SoftBank in Talks to Buy Majority Stake in 1X at $6 Billion Valuation

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SoftBank is reportedly in talks to acquire a majority stake in humanoid robotics startup 1X Technologies in a deal that would value the company at about $6 billion.

The Information reported that discussions are still ongoing and the terms could change. Reuters said it could not immediately confirm the report, while SoftBank declined to comment and 1X did not immediately respond.

1X is backed by OpenAI, which invested in the company in 2023 through the OpenAI Startup Fund alongside Tiger Global and several Norway-based investors.

The report also said OpenAI and 1X discussed the possibility of an acquisition last year, highlighting the startup’s strategic importance in the emerging humanoid robotics market.

A potential investment would extend SoftBank’s growing push into robotics. The Japanese technology group previously agreed to acquire ABB’s robotics business for $5.4 billion, adding industrial automation capabilities to its broader AI strategy.

If completed, the 1X transaction would give SoftBank a stronger position in humanoid robotics as investors increasingly bet that physical AI systems could become a major new technology market.

Nvidia to Provide Up to $105 Billion Guarantee for OpenAI’s Ohio Data Center

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Nvidia has agreed to provide up to $105 billion in financial guarantees to support OpenAI’s lease of a massive AI data center being developed in Ohio by SoftBank-owned SB Energy.

The chipmaker will also invest $1.5 billion in SB Energy, adding to earlier funding from OpenAI and SoftBank. Nvidia will serve as the exclusive chip supplier for the facility, which could eventually reach 8 gigawatts of capacity, with the first 800 megawatts expected to come online in 2028.

OpenAI has signed a 20-year lease for the Pike County site. Nvidia’s guarantee will cover portions of lease and power obligations while also protecting a minimum value for the facility if OpenAI defaults.

The arrangement reflects Nvidia’s growing role in financing the infrastructure built around its processors. While the strategy supports long-term demand for its AI chips, it has also raised investor concerns about increasingly interconnected funding relationships across the AI sector.

CEO Jensen Huang said the company is using its financial strength and long-term visibility to secure infrastructure where Nvidia hardware can operate across multiple generations.

The Ohio project will also require major energy investment. SoftBank and SB Energy plan to develop at least 10 gigawatts of new power generation and invest billions in regional grid infrastructure to support the site.

SoftBank Takes Capital One Stake While Cutting Taiwan Semiconductor Holdings

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SoftBank Group disclosed a new investment in Capital One while sharply reducing its exposure to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) during the second quarter, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

As of June 30, SoftBank held 276,811 Capital One shares, valued at approximately $55.5 million. The investment marks a new position for the Japanese technology and investment group.

SoftBank also added a smaller stake in Life360, acquiring 10,718 shares valued at around $488,500 at the end of the quarter.

At the same time, the company sold about 1.4 million TSMC shares, representing roughly 71.5% of its previous holding, for approximately $269.8 million.

The portfolio shift comes as large institutional investors continue repositioning around changing valuations in technology, semiconductors and financial services. SoftBank remains heavily exposed to AI and technology investments, making its reduction in TSMC particularly notable amid strong global demand for advanced chips.

Quarterly 13-F filings provide only a snapshot of certain U.S.-listed holdings at the end of a reporting period and do not show subsequent transactions or an investor’s complete portfolio.