Evening digest: Anthropic IPO to match SpaceX valuation, BTC surges above $72K

Anthropic prepared for a potential IPO targeting a size comparable with SpaceX's record offering, while Bitcoin climbed above $72,500 on renewed regulatory optimism.

Oil prices rose to their highest levels in more than three weeks as tensions surrounding Iran threatened further supply disruptions, while Walmart shares fell sharply despite the retailer raising its full-year financial outlook.

Anthropic aims to match SpaceX IPO valuation

Anthropic is preparing for a potential public listing that could rival the size of SpaceX's record-setting initial public offering, reported Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter.

The Claude developer is considering an IPO that could raise $75 billion or more, although discussions remain ongoing and the eventual size could change.

SpaceX raised $75 billion at the outset of its IPO, with the figure reaching $86.2 billion after an overallotment option was exercised.

Anthropic could file publicly as soon as the end of August.

The company raised $65 billion in May at a valuation of $965 billion, surpassing OpenAI's $852 billion valuation following its March funding round.

Anthropic's preliminary second-quarter revenue exceeded $11.5 billion, compared with $787 million a year earlier.

Its revenue run rate reached $65 billion by the end of July.

However, the company continues to face substantial costs associated with AI development. Anthropic recorded a net loss of almost $42 billion in 2025, compared with about $8.3 billion the previous year.

The company is also working on a revolving credit facility expected to exceed its earlier $10 billion target and is working with Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan on its potential IPO.

Bitcoin climbs above $72,500

Bitcoin surged 6.4% to $72,607, reaching its highest level since late May as President Donald Trump urged Congress to advance cryptocurrency legislation.

Ethereum gained 10%, while XRP rose 16%.

Hyperliquid's token also climbed after Trump said CFTC Chairman Mike Selig was working to bring the decentralized exchange to the US.

The rally followed calls for Congress to pass the Clarity Act, which would place Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies under commodity regulations rather than securities laws.

The legislation is scheduled for a procedural vote on Sept. 15.

Bitcoin's advance also followed a major liquidation event. CoinGlass data showed that $664 million in Bitcoin short positions were liquidated over the previous 24 hours.

Analysts continued to watch whether Bitcoin could maintain its move above $70,000 as the impact of short covering fades.

Its 50-day simple moving average stood at $64,217, while the 200-day average was at $68,975.

Oil prices rise as Iran tensions persist

Oil prices climbed to their highest levels in more than three weeks as concerns about Middle Eastern supply disruptions intensified.

Brent crude futures rose 2.1% to $93.62 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate futures gained 2.7% to $88.15.

Both reached their highest levels since July 24.

The gains followed President Donald Trump's warning of economic consequences for countries supporting Iran.

The conflict has disrupted oil and gas flows across the region, while shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains far below pre-war levels.

UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said the elevated tensions could lead to further supply disruptions and tighter oil markets.

Before the war, the Strait of Hormuz handled shipments equivalent to about one-fifth of global oil consumption.

Walmart stock falls despite higher forecast

Walmart shares fell more than 9% in trading despite the retailer raising its full-year financial forecasts after reporting quarterly revenue and adjusted earnings above Wall Street expectations.

Revenue reached $187.9 billion, up nearly 6% year over year and ahead of the roughly $186 billion expected by analysts. Adjusted earnings per share came in at 81 cents, compared with expectations of 74 cents.

However, US comparable sales increased 2.6%, below the 3.8% expected by analysts. Average ticket growth slowed to 1.1%, while transactions increased 1.5%.

Walmart raised its fiscal 2027 net sales growth forecast to 4%-5% from 3.5%-4.5% and increased its adjusted EPS outlook to $2.80-$2.87.

Its third-quarter outlook was weaker, with adjusted EPS expected at 62-64 cents versus analysts' 68-cent estimate. E-commerce sales rose 24%, while Walmart Connect revenue increased 43%, providing growth outside its traditional retail operations.