OpenAI has reportedly discussed giving the US government a 5% equity stake in the company, a proposal that reflects Washington’s increasing involvement in the artificial intelligence industry and could shape how emerging technologies, including crypto, are regulated.
According to a Financial Times report citing people familiar with the discussions, the proposal was raised during early talks with the Trump administration as OpenAI prepares for a potential initial public offering (IPO).
OpenAI proposes handing Trump administration 5% stake https://t.co/rcnsMqaS0H
— Financial Times (@FT) July 2, 2026
Why does the proposal matter?
The reported proposal would involve leading US artificial intelligence companies contributing a 5% equity stake to a public investment vehicle. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reportedly believes such a structure would allow Americans to benefit directly from the rapid growth of the AI sector.
The idea is said to be inspired by Alaska’s Permanent Fund, which invests state oil revenue and distributes returns to residents. Under a similar model, gains generated by major AI companies could eventually be shared with the public.
While OpenAI has reportedly floated the concept, it remains unclear whether other major AI developers, including Anthropic, Google and Meta, would support such an arrangement.
AI oversight expands as crypto watches closely
Governments have increasingly focused on both AI and crypto as strategic technologies, with policymakers looking for stronger oversight while encouraging innovation. A closer relationship between AI companies and the US government could shape future rules around blockchain, digital identity, cybersecurity and financial technology.
The report also said Altman has held discussions with President Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Senator Bernie Sanders, who recently proposed taxing shares of the largest AI companies to fund a sovereign wealth fund for Americans.
What comes next for OpenAI?
The reported discussions follow OpenAI’s confidential submission of an S-1 registration statement for a US IPO, marking another step toward a public market debut.
At the same time, the White House is reportedly preparing voluntary standards for advanced AI models. The guidance is expected to outline security benchmarks, review timelines and rules governing access to the most powerful AI systems.
The administration has also reportedly intervened in recent AI rollouts, including requesting a phased release of OpenAI’s GPT-5.6 and temporarily imposing export controls on Anthropic’s latest models before later lifting those restrictions.
The equity proposal shows how AI is becoming increasingly tied to government policy, which could have wider implications for the technology sector, including crypto, as regulatory frameworks continue to evolve.
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