Anthropic has reached a US$30bn valuation following its latest funding round, prompting sharp criticism from Elon Musk. The exchange highlights intensifying competition within the rapidly expanding AI industry. Industry rankings place Anthropic just behind OpenAI and SpaceX.
Anthropic secured US$30bn in fresh capital at a post-money valuation of US$380bn, more than double its previous valuation. The funding round, led by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC and investment firm Coatue, cements Anthropic’s position among the world’s most valuable private technology firms.
The funding round was reportedly co-led by investors including D. E. Shaw Ventures, ICONIQ, and MGX. It also comprised a portion of previously announced investments from Microsoft and Nvidia.
Anthropic, backed by Google and Amazon, earlier raised US$13bn in a Series F funding round that valued the company at US$183bn, according to a statement in September 2025. Reuters also reported that Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager, was increasing its stake in Anthropic to approximately US$1bn.
“We’ve raised $30B in funding at a $380B post-money valuation. This investment will help us deepen our research, continue to innovate in products, and ensure we have the resources to power our infrastructure expansion as we make Claude available everywhere our customers are," the company posted on X (previously Twitter).
Elon Musk publicly criticised Anthropic, just hours after the company announced a massive new funding round. In a post on X, Musk accused advanced AI systems of ideological bias and suggested that Anthropic’s name carried unintended irony.
“Your AI hates Whites & Asians, especially Chinese, heterosexuals, and men. This is misanthropic and evil. Fix it," Musk wrote.
He further added, “Frankly, I don’t think there is anything you can do to escape the inevitable irony of Anthropic ending up being Misanthropic. You were doomed to this fate when you chose your name."
His remarks come at a time when his own artificial intelligence startup, xAI, is undergoing significant changes. Despite Musk’s high-profile push into AI with the Grok chatbot, market data show that xAI remains a smaller player in global usage.
Founded in 2021 by former OpenAI researchers, Anthropic appeals to computer coders and enterprises seeking AI products that prioritize data security and predictability. In November 2025, Claude Code, a highly regarded coding tool, surpassed US$1bn in revenue just six months after its public launch.
In January 2026, Anthropic released Cowork, an AI tool for enterprises that requires no coding abilities. The release of AI automation tools and a legal field product contributed to a broad sell-off in software stocks. It has intensified concerns around AI models replacing the utility of stand-alone business apps and platforms.
Also Read: Anthropic Sued by Indian Software Firm Over Name Usage
Anthropic’s US$30bn valuation and Elon Musk’s sharp response highlight intensifying competition in the AI field. As companies race to secure funding, enterprise clients, and technological breakthroughs, rivalries are increasingly shaping strategy and public discourse. The new funding round at Anthropic shows investors' trust in generative AI, regardless of the market conditions. Both venture capitalists and institutional investors are investing heavily in AI companies.
The episode highlights that AI leadership is no longer just about innovation but also about influence, governance, and long-term market control.