Anthropic has taken a firm stance against unauthorized platforms attempting to facilitate the sale or liquidation of its shares. The AI developer recently updated its official communications to warn investors that several private investment platforms are not authorized to offer access to its equity. The company explicitly stated that any such sales or transfers would be considered void and will not be recognized in its official books and records.

The warning names several firms, including Open Doors Partners, Unicorns Exchange, Pachamama Capital, Lionheart Ventures, Hiive, Forge Global, Sydecar, and Upmarket. In the wake of the announcement, some platforms have pushed back against the claims. Forge Global stated that its inclusion in the alert was erroneous and that it is working with Anthropic to rectify the error, maintaining that it does not facilitate private company transactions without explicit approval. Sydecar also clarified that its role is purely administrative, requiring sponsors to provide proof of necessary consents before any transfer occurs.

This crackdown comes amid an unprecedented surge in demand for AI-sector equity. Unicorns Exchange reported receiving inquiries from institutional investors totaling over $1 trillion in aggregate demand for Anthropic shares within just a three-month window. However, the exchange noted that these inquiries did not result in completed deals because sellers were unable to provide definitive proof of authorization from Anthropic to auction their interests.

Anthropic has clarified that both its common and preferred stock are subject to strict transfer restrictions. The company specifically noted that special purpose vehicles (SPVs) are prohibited from acquiring its stock, and any attempt to transfer shares to such an entity is invalid. As the AI industry experiences massive valuation shifts, these measures are intended to prevent unauthorized secondary market activity and ensure the integrity of the company’s ownership structure.