The current secondary market is witnessing a significant demand for AI and deep tech equities, with five of the twelve most sought-after assets being Neuralink, Anthropic, SpaceX, ByteDance, and OpenAI. This shift is largely driven by a group known as crypto-native diversifiers, who are transitioning from holding cryptocurrencies like ETH and SOL to equity investments through onchain trading platforms. Additionally, the tech development sector has emerged as the largest in this market, with an average opportunity size of $22.4 million, primarily focused on equity transactions rather than tokens. This evolution marks a notable change in how secondary platforms operate, now facilitating the distribution of private equities in frontier AI companies to these new buyers.
OpenAI: OpenAI builds frontier AI models like the GPT series and plans a 2026 IPO with shares reserved for retail investors. Secondary market demand for its shares has recently softened amid competition. Nonetheless, it remains one of the five most in-demand AI equities targeted by crypto investors on secondary platforms.
SpaceX: SpaceX pioneers reusable rocket technology for space transport and operates the Starlink satellite internet constellation, with emerging plans for orbital AI data centers. The company confidentially filed for an IPO in early April 2026, heightening secondary market activity. It stands out as a leading deep tech equity in secondary trading, bought by crypto-native diversifiers.
Anthropic: Anthropic creates advanced AI models with a focus on safety and reliability, including the Claude series and a new cybersecurity model called Mythos that excels in coding and threat detection. Its next models demand significant compute resources, pushing efficiency innovations. As one of the most sought-after equities on secondary platforms, it attracts strong demand from former token holders shifting to private AI shares.
ByteDance: ByteDance operates TikTok and invests in AI development, including open-source tools like OpenViking for enhanced AI memory and prediction. Recent secondary share sales have drawn significant interest from buyers. Its equity features prominently among the top in-demand AI and deep tech assets on digital secondary markets.
Neuralink: Neuralink develops implantable brain-computer interfaces to enable patients with paralysis or neurological conditions to control devices and communicate using thoughts alone. Recent human trials demonstrate patients browsing, gaming, and operating robotic arms via implants. In the secondary market, its equity ranks among the top five most in-demand AI and deep tech assets, appealing to crypto investors diversifying from tokens.
Second Lane: SecondLane operates as a Web3-native investment bank providing liquidity solutions for private digital asset markets, including secondary trading of tokens and equities. It partners with Delphi Digital on reports analyzing market trends like the shift to equity trading. The firm identifies crypto-native diversifiers as key buyers driving demand for AI equities in its latest secondary market analysis.
Buyer Trend: Crypto-native diversifiers, previously holding ETH and SOL, are accumulating equity positions through onchain trading platforms.
Sector Lead: Tech Development has become the largest sector in secondary markets by average opportunity size, dominated by equity over tokens.
Market Shift: Secondary platforms built for token and SAFT transfers now distribute private equities in frontier AI companies to the same crypto-native buyers.