Anthropic, OpenAI tokenized PreStocks on Solana plunge after unauthorized equity transfer warnings

Solana-based PreStocks tokens tied to Anthropic and OpenAI fell sharply this week after both artificial intelligence companies warned that unauthorized equity transfers, including via special-purpose vehicles (SPVs) and tokenized instruments, may be void and unrecognized, with OpenAI adding that such transactions could carry no economic value to buyers.

PreStocks are tokenized instruments designed to track the implied value of private companies before a potential public listing, though they are not officially endorsed by the underlying companies.

In notices published earlier this week, both firms said their preferred and common stocks are subject to strict transfer restrictions under corporate bylaws, including any attempted sales or transfers via special-purpose vehicles, tokenized instruments, or forward contracts.

Anthropic listed several firms as unauthorized to buy or sell its shares, including Open Door Partners, Hiive, and Forge. The company said any transfer not approved by its board is void and would not be recognized on its books, meaning purported buyers may not receive stockholder rights. OpenAI issued a similar warning, stating that unauthorized transactions may violate U.S. securities laws and could result in the invalidation of the underlying equity.

Data from CoinGecko shows Anthropic PreStocks dropped around 38% since late Tuesday to around $879, at a market cap of about $8.3 million.

OpenAI PreStocks plunged roughly 46% to $1,080 over the same period, per CoinGecko, with a market cap of approximately $2.2 million.

The price declines reflect trading in the tokenized PreStocks instruments rather than changes to the underlying private companies' official valuations.

The Block reached out to PreStocks for comment.