StocksMediumUpdated×9•Originally published 26 July 2026•Updated 27 July 2026•
2 min read

Nvidia Backs SoftBank's $500B Ohio AI Data Center Project

Key Facts

1Nvidia is in talks with OpenAI to guarantee $250 billion in financing for a massive AI data center project.
2The project would be one of the largest AI computing hubs and involve power controlled by the U.S. government.

In a move representing the largest investment in digital infrastructure history, new reports have revealed expansive details for the AI data center project led by SoftBank Group with Nvidia's support. According to reports, the estimated total cost has doubled to $500 billion, aiming to build a 10-gigawatt hub in southern Ohio. Nvidia is reportedly in talks to provide financing guarantees to assist SoftBank in securing the massive capital required for this project, which is expected to utilize U.S. government-controlled power resources.

This collaboration strengthens dominance over advanced computing supply chains amid intensifying competition among chipmakers. Looking at peer performance per market data, AMD closed at $521.95, while TSM stood at $403.41 and INTC recorded $92.32. The involvement of SoftBank as the primary developer marks a strategic shift in the project's structure, as Nvidia seeks to ensure infrastructure capable of running its next-generation processors through innovative financing partnerships.

Regarding market performance, NVDA stood at $206.84 (at close July 24, 2026), after reaching a day high of $211.91. Investors are closely monitoring official announcements regarding financing guarantees as a long-term growth catalyst. Meanwhile, global markets are awaiting key economic data, including South Korea's GDP growth and Australia's employment change, which could impact liquidity flows into the technology sector.

Latest Updates · 7

  1. Notable·

    Update: Nvidia's technology is seeing adoption beyond traditional data centers, as the new Rubin servers begin delivering significant operational relief to cloud providers. According to reports, Bitcoin mining companies are increasingly pivoting to diversify their investment portfolios by integrating AI infrastructure powered by Nvidia's technology, opening new growth avenues for the company's advanced processors.

  2. Notable·

    Update: In a parallel strategic development, Nvidia has led a coalition of 36 companies to establish the 'Open Secure AI Alliance' focused on securing open-source models. This move comes in response to heightened security concerns following a cybersecurity incident targeting the Hugging Face platform, signaling Nvidia's commitment to securing the software ecosystem alongside its massive infrastructure investments.

  3. Notable·

    Update: Nvidia has expanded its strategic footprint into AI security by co-founding the "AI Defense Alliance" alongside other tech giants. Launched in response to a hacking incident at OpenAI, the initiative aims to develop open-source programs to defend against cyberattacks targeting sophisticated AI systems.

  4. Notable·

    Update: Nvidia has expanded its strategic reach by partnering with the new AI research lab founded by Ilya Sutskever, the former chief scientist of OpenAI. This move aims to bolster the company's high-profile customer base and secure a leading position in the next wave of AI development and research.

  5. Notable·

    Update: In a parallel development, Nvidia has unveiled an alliance of industry leaders to develop open-source AI cybersecurity tools following a hack on the Hugging Face platform. CEO Jensen Huang stated that closed AI systems hindered essential forensics during the incident, prompting the company to take a leadership role in securing AI infrastructure.

  6. Major·

    Update: Additional reports indicate that OpenAI is slated to be the primary tenant, with Nvidia considering up to $250 billion in financing guarantees to back the lease. The project's first 800-megawatt phase is now targeted for completion in 2028, though the Bank for International Settlements has cautioned that any disappointment in AI returns could trigger a sudden pullback in sector financing.

  7. Major·

    Update: New reports indicate that Nvidia is considering specific financing guarantees worth $250 billion to support OpenAI's projects. This move solidifies Nvidia's role as a primary financial and technical anchor for massive AI infrastructure, adding a new dimension to the strategic partnership between the technology giants.