Gate has launched the second phase of its Pre-IPOs program, featuring an OpenAI-linked token (OPENAI) with participation available through USDT and GUSD. The move expands the exchange's token
Gate has launched the second phase of its Pre-IPOs program, featuring an OpenAI-linked token (OPENAI) with participation available through USDT and GUSD. The move expands the exchange's tokenized pre-listing product line to include one of the most closely watched private technology companies in the world.
The update, listed on Gate's Pre-IPOs page, represents a continuation of the exchange's existing initiative to offer exposure to companies before they reach public markets. The second phase signals that the first round generated enough traction for Gate to expand the program with new featured assets. For related coverage, see Cronos Labs Launches Cronos One, A Unified Gateway for Seamless and Verified Web3 Onboarding.
Pre-IPO products on crypto exchanges allow users to trade tokens that track the anticipated value of companies expected to go public. These are not direct equity stakes, and participants do not acquire shares in the underlying company. The distinction matters, particularly for a company like OpenAI that has not announced a confirmed public offering timeline. For related coverage, see Arcana Network Launches the First Ever Chain Abstraction Wallet, Ushering a New Era of Multi-Chain Transactions.
The headline asset in this phase is labeled OPENAI, using a ticker-style designation that suggests a tradable product identity on the platform. OpenAI's prominence in the AI sector makes it a natural draw for speculative interest, but the offering requires careful framing. For related coverage, see Bitcoin Spot ETFs End 8-Week Outflow Streak With $197M Inflows.
OpenAI itself has published a policy page on unauthorized equity transactions, signaling the company's awareness of third-party products that reference its name or implied equity. Users considering participation should understand that this Pre-IPO token is a Gate product, not an instrument endorsed or issued by OpenAI.
The presence of a high-profile AI company in a crypto exchange's pre-listing market reflects growing appetite for tokenized exposure to private tech firms. However, without confirmed IPO plans from OpenAI, the product is purely speculative in nature.
Gate's announcement specifies that users can participate in the OpenAI Pre-IPO using USDT and GUSD, two stablecoins with distinct profiles. USDT, issued by Tether, is the largest stablecoin by market capitalization and the most widely used trading pair across centralized exchanges. Recent data has shown significant USDT outflows from major exchanges like Binance, underscoring the stablecoin's central role in crypto market flows.
GUSD, issued by Gemini, offers a regulated alternative with a smaller footprint. Including both options gives users flexibility, with USDT serving high-volume traders and GUSD appealing to those who prefer a stablecoin backed by a U.S.-regulated entity.
The choice of stablecoin participation rails, rather than requiring users to hold a platform-specific token, lowers the barrier to entry. This approach aligns with how most centralized exchanges structure their launchpad and subscription products. Amid broader scrutiny of high-value USDT transactions in various jurisdictions, the inclusion of a regulated alternative like GUSD may also serve as a risk-management signal.
Products that offer exposure to private company valuations through tokenized instruments occupy uncertain regulatory ground. The U.S. SEC has issued guidance on tokenized securities, clarifying that tokenization does not change the fundamental nature of a security under existing law.
This means that tokenized pre-IPO products could fall under securities regulation depending on their structure and the jurisdiction of participants. Gate operates primarily outside the United States, but users should be aware that regulatory treatment varies significantly by country.
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce has also weighed in on the broader topic of tokenized assets. In a post on X, Peirce addressed aspects of how existing securities frameworks apply to tokenized instruments, contributing to an ongoing policy discussion that directly affects products like Gate's Pre-IPO offerings.
Gate's decision to expand its Pre-IPOs program fits within a broader trend of centralized exchanges building structured products beyond simple spot and futures trading. Platforms have increasingly launched token launchpads, earn programs, and now pre-listing markets as ways to differentiate and attract users.
The inclusion of OpenAI, a company at the center of the global AI narrative, is a deliberate attention play. Whether the product attracts meaningful volume will depend on how Gate structures settlement, pricing, and eventual resolution of the OPENAI token if and when the company pursues a public listing.
For now, the second phase of Gate's Pre-IPOs is best understood as a platform product update, one that lets crypto-native users express a directional view on a private company using stablecoins they already hold. It is not a substitute for actual equity access, and participants should treat it accordingly.
Gate launched the second phase of its Pre-IPOs program, adding an OpenAI-linked token (OPENAI) as the featured asset. The product is accessible through USDT and GUSD participation.
No. This is a tokenized pre-listing product offered by Gate. It provides speculative exposure to OpenAI's anticipated public market value but does not represent equity in the company. OpenAI has published its own policy regarding unauthorized equity transactions.
USDT and GUSD are the two stablecoins accepted for participation in the Pre-IPO offering. USDT is the largest stablecoin by market cap, while GUSD is a regulated stablecoin issued by Gemini.
Regulatory treatment depends on the jurisdiction. The U.S. SEC has stated that tokenizing a security does not change its legal classification. Users should assess their own regulatory exposure before participating.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.
The post Gate Launches Second Phase of Pre-IPOs Featuring OpenAI, USDT and GUSD was initially published on Coincu.
