Is DeepSeek Publicly Traded? How to Buy DeepSeek Stock

Introduction

DeepSeek has emerged as a significant player in the artificial intelligence landscape, particularly after its breakthrough DeepSeek-R1 model released in January 2025. This Chinese AI company has garnered substantial attention for developing high-performing language models that compete with offerings from giants like OpenAI and Meta, but at significantly lower training costs. For investors interested in the AI sector, understanding DeepSeek's ownership structure and potential investment opportunities is crucial.

Is DeepSeek Publicly Traded?

No, DeepSeek is not publicly traded. Based on comprehensive research, DeepSeek is a privately held company that has not conducted an Initial Public offering (IPO). Here's what you need to know about DeepSeek's ownership structure:

DeepSeek's Ownership Structure

DeepSeek, formally known as Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Basic Technology Research Co., Ltd. (杭州深度求索人工智能基础技术研究有限公司), is a Chinese artificial intelligence company based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. The company was founded on July 17, 2023, as a spin-off from High-Flyer, a Chinese quantitative hedge fund.

Key ownership details:

• DeepSeek is owned and funded by High-Flyer, a Chinese hedge fund
• Founded by Liang Wenfeng, who also co-founded High-Flyer and serves as CEO for both companies
• As of May 2024, Liang personally held an 84% stake in DeepSeek through two shell corporations

Unlike many AI startups in Silicon Valley that rely on venture capital funding, DeepSeek emerged from and is backed by High-Flyer's resources. According to reports, when DeepSeek was spun off as an independent company, venture capital investors were reluctant to provide funding, as they considered it unlikely that the venture would quickly generate an "exit" opportunity.

How to Buy DeepSeek Stock

Since DeepSeek is not publicly traded, traditional methods of purchasing stock through public exchanges are not available. However, there are several potential avenues for those interested in gaining exposure to DeepSeek:

1. Pre-IPO Secondary Market

Although direct investment options are limited, accredited investors might find opportunities through pre-IPO marketplaces:

• Private equity platforms: Services like EquityZen, Forge Global, and Hiive sometimes offer pre-IPO shares of high-profile private companies, though availability depends on whether current shareholders are willing to sell their stakes.
• Requirements: To participate in pre-IPO marketplaces, you typically need to be an accredited investor, meaning you must meet specific income or net worth requirements established by securities regulations.
• Considerations: Pre-IPO investments carry significant risks including lack of liquidity, limited disclosure requirements, and uncertain valuations.

2. Wait for a Potential IPO

If DeepSeek decides to go public in the future, you could purchase shares through traditional brokerages once the IPO occurs. However, there are no strong indications that DeepSeek plans to pursue a public listing in the near term. The company's focus appears to be on research rather than immediate commercialization, and being privately owned by High-Flyer provides substantial financial backing without the pressures of public markets.

3. Indirect Exposure Through Related Investments

Since direct investment in DeepSeek isn't currently possible for most investors, consider these alternatives for AI sector exposure:

• AI-focused ETFs: Exchange-traded funds specializing in artificial intelligence and robotics can provide broad exposure to the sector.
• Publicly traded AI companies: Investing in public companies that operate in the AI space can offer partial exposure to industry trends that might affect DeepSeek.
• Companies with partnerships: As DeepSeek continues to grow, it may form partnerships with publicly traded companies, potentially offering indirect exposure.

DeepSeek's Business Model and Market Impact

Understanding DeepSeek's business approach can help potential investors gauge its future prospects:

Research-Focused Approach

DeepSeek states that it focuses primarily on research and does not have immediate plans for commercialization. This approach differs from many Western AI companies that prioritize monetization. According to reports, this research-focused posture also means DeepSeek can avoid certain provisions of China's AI regulations aimed at consumer-facing technologies.

Cost-Efficient Training Methods

What has made DeepSeek particularly noteworthy is its ability to train powerful AI models at significantly lower costs than competitors. The company claims it trained its V3 model for approximately $6 million, compared to the reported $100 million cost for OpenAI's GPT-4. This cost efficiency was achieved through innovative techniques like:

• Using mixture of experts (MoE) layers
• Working with weaker AI chips intended for export
• Employing fewer units overall
• Developing efficient training frameworks

Market Impact

DeepSeek's emergence has already had significant market effects:

• When DeepSeek launched its chatbot in January 2025, it quickly surpassed ChatGPT as the most downloaded freeware app on the iOS App Store in the United States.
• The success triggered an 18% drop in Nvidia's share price, with the company losing approximately $600 billion in market value—the largest single-company decline in U.S. stock market history.
• Some investors anticipated a "price war" in the American AI industry, with DeepSeek being dubbed the "Pinduoduo of AI."
• Other Chinese tech giants like ByteDance, Tencent, Baidu, and Alibaba subsequently cut the prices of their AI models.

Using Anakin AI as an Alternative Investment Strategy

Since direct investment in DeepSeek isn't currently possible, investors interested in AI opportunities might consider utilizing platforms like Anakin AI to develop investment strategies leveraging DeepSeek's technology.

What is Anakin AI?

Anakin AI is an all-in-one AI platform that allows users to create custom AI applications without coding experience. The platform supports various AI models and provides tools for content creation, research, and analysis.

Using Anakin AI with DeepSeek for Stock Picking

Although DeepSeek stock isn't available for direct purchase, you can leverage DeepSeek's powerful AI capabilities through Anakin AI to potentially enhance your investment decisions:

1. Create a Custom Stock Analysis Tool: Anakin AI's no-code platform allows you to build custom applications. You can develop a stock analysis tool that utilizes DeepSeek's language models to analyze market trends, news, and financial reports.
2. Natural Language Processing for Financial Research: DeepSeek's advanced NLP capabilities, accessible through Anakin AI, can help process vast amounts of financial information, identify patterns in market data, and generate insights that might not be apparent through traditional analysis.
3. Sentiment Analysis: Develop applications that analyze market sentiment across social media, news articles, and financial publications to gauge investor attitudes toward specific stocks or market sectors.
4. Risk Assessment: Use AI-powered tools to evaluate potential investment risks by processing historical data and identifying potential warning signs in company reports or market conditions.
5. Automated Research Assistant: Create an AI research assistant that can compile information on companies, industries, or economic trends, saving valuable time in the investment research process.

Setting Up Your Anakin AI Stock Picking System

1. Sign up for Anakin AI: Create an account on the Anakin AI platform.
2. Select DeepSeek Models: Within Anakin AI, select DeepSeek's language models as your preferred AI engine if available.
3. Define Your Investment Parameters: Configure your application to focus on specific industries, company sizes, geographic regions, or other investment criteria that align with your strategy.
4. Create Custom Workflows: Design workflows that automate the collection and analysis of financial data, news, and market trends.
5. Test and Refine: Run your stock-picking system against historical data to evaluate its performance, then refine your approach based on the results.
6. Implement Risk Management: Include risk assessment tools that help identify potential downsides to investment recommendations.

Conclusion

While DeepSeek is not publicly traded and direct investment opportunities are currently limited, understanding the company's structure, technology, and market impact helps investors stay informed about this emerging player in the AI landscape. The company's ownership by High-Flyer, a Chinese hedge fund, provides it with stable funding and allows for a research-focused approach without the immediate pressure to commercialize.

For those interested in exposure to DeepSeek or similar AI innovations, options include monitoring for pre-IPO opportunities (though these are typically limited to accredited investors), waiting for a potential future IPO, or seeking indirect exposure through related investments. Additionally, leveraging tools like Anakin AI that can utilize DeepSeek's technology provides an alternative strategy to benefit from DeepSeek's AI capabilities in your investment research and decision-making processes.

As the AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly, staying informed about companies like DeepSeek that are pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI technology will be increasingly important for investors looking to capitalize on opportunities in this transformative sector.

Remember that all investments carry risk, and thorough research is essential before making any investment decisions, particularly in rapidly evolving sectors like artificial intelligence.