Alphabet's Stake in SpaceX Just Swelled to $94.1 Billion, and Its Position in Anthropic Is Worth Even More
2026-07-27 11:06
•Sean Williams •The Motley Fool
••••• ••••• Axe Capital view
Alphabet's Space Bets Are Paying Off Big
Alphabet’s massive gains in SpaceX and Anthropic highlight its savvy venture moves beyond core search and ads.
Alphabet’s early $900 million bet on SpaceX has turned into a staggering $94 billion stake. Add in its $124 billion valuation of Anthropic, an AI startup, and you see a tech giant playing the venture game like few others. While Alphabet’s core business still drives earnings, these holdings symbolize optionality and long-term growth potential. For South African investors, the clearest connection is through the USD/ZAR. A strong dollar driven by growing tech valuations tends to keep the rand under pressure. This dynamic has implications for JSE shares like Naspers and Prosus, whose performance often hinges on tech sector moves and currency swings. The risk? These private holdings aren’t liquid or guaranteed—anything from regulatory shifts to tech hype deflating can reverse fortunes. But for now, Alphabet’s playbook suggests patience with rand-hedged tech exposure remains smart. this is just my opinion and not financial advice
I’d watch Naspers and Prosus for entry points, especially on rand weakness, but avoid chasing frothy tech valuations. Protect currency exposure when possible.
- Naspers
- Prosus
- USD/ZAR
- Tech sector correction in the US
- Renewed rand strength reducing USD/ZAR benefits
6/10
Alphabet's initial $900 million investment in SpaceX in 2015 is now worth $94.1 billion, with $80 billion subject to early release restrictions beginning in August 2026. Additionally, Alphabet's stake in Anthropic, the developer of Claude, is valued at over $124.3 billion based on the company's non-marketable equity securities. These investments demonstrate Alphabet's prowess as a venture investor alongside its core AI infrastructure spending.
This article was originally published by The Motley Fool and has been adapted here for Axe Capital Trading News.
Publisher: The Motley Fool
Author: Sean Williams
Categories: Equities, IPOs, Technology, AI, Semiconductors
Tickers: GOOG, GOOGL, GOOGM, GOOGN, SPCX
Sentiment: Positive - Alphabet's venture investments in SpaceX and Anthropic have appreciated significantly, with SpaceX stake growing over 100x since 2015 and Anthropic position valued at $124.3 billion. This demonstrates strong investment acumen and substantial unrealized gains that could benefit shareholders. SpaceX's valuation has grown substantially, with Alphabet's stake now worth $94.1 billion from an initial $900 million investment. The company's recent public listing and staggered unlock schedule indicate strong market confidence and growth trajectory.
Keywords: Alphabet, SpaceX, Anthropic, venture investment, AI infrastructure, stock valuation, Claude language model
Insights:
- GOOG: Positive: Alphabet's venture investments in SpaceX and Anthropic have appreciated significantly, with SpaceX stake growing over 100x since 2015 and Anthropic position valued at $124.3 billion. This demonstrates strong investment acumen and substantial unrealized gains that could benefit shareholders.
- GOOGL: Positive: Alphabet's venture investments in SpaceX and Anthropic have appreciated significantly, with SpaceX stake growing over 100x since 2015 and Anthropic position valued at $124.3 billion. This demonstrates strong investment acumen and substantial unrealized gains that could benefit shareholders.
- GOOGM: Positive: Alphabet's venture investments in SpaceX and Anthropic have appreciated significantly, with SpaceX stake growing over 100x since 2015 and Anthropic position valued at $124.3 billion. This demonstrates strong investment acumen and substantial unrealized gains that could benefit shareholders.