SpaceX Faces $116 Billion Share Unlock as Short Bets Mount

SpaceX is approaching a major liquidity event for early backers after its acquisition of Elon Musk’s artificial-intelligence startup xAI lifted the aerospace company’s valuation. The deal has left longtime investors sitting on substantial gains despite a sharp pullback from the shares’ peak. The scale of the pending release is drawing attention because it could test demand for one of the world’s most valuable private technology companies.

About $116 billion of SpaceX shares is scheduled to become eligible for trading in August 2026, with staggered lockup periods designed to limit the impact of concentrated selling. The stock has fallen 37% from its high, while short positions have targeted roughly 30% of the tradable shares. Investors are watching whether profit-taking by early holders and elevated bearish bets will amplify price swings once the restrictions begin to expire.