Particle.news
Download on the App Store

China’s AI IPO Boom Tests Public Markets as U.S. Model Leaders Stay Private

State support is fueling early Hong Kong listings, with mounting regulatory and geopolitical risks casting doubt on durability.

Overview

  • Hong Kong’s revival accelerated as Shanghai Biren jumped 76% on Friday after raising more than $700 million, following six debuts earlier in the week that collected $900 million.
  • Recent Chinese AI listings have posted outsized first‑day gains, including Moore Threads up about 500% and Metax Integrated Circuits near 700%.
  • Start-ups Zhipu AI and MiniMax are slated to list in Hong Kong later this week, extending the wave from chipmakers to model builders.
  • Regulatory and geopolitical uncertainty is building, with draft rules issued on Dec. 27 for public-facing AI services and a U.S. waiver on Nvidia H200 sales that could be reversed.
  • In contrast, major U.S. model developers like OpenAI and Anthropic remain privately held at large valuations, pushing public investors toward indirect exposure through companies such as Nvidia and Microsoft.