Why are OpenAI and Anthropic cheering on regulation in Australia? The answer has global reach

The Guardian reports that OpenAI and Anthropic are supporting Australia's new AI regulatory framework despite their recent valuation losses following competition from Chinese startup Moonshot AI's open-source model launch. The article argues that the companies' backing reflects strategic self-interest: regulation provides clarity for potential public market investors, supports their planned IPOs, and positions them to shape rules globally—while also potentially locking out Chinese competitors through national security justifications. Reporting is rigorous, drawing on named sources including Australian assistant technology minister Andrew Charlton and analyst Malik Ahmed Khan, with specific financial figures (implied valuations down $232bn-$160bn, $1.5bn copyright settlement) and direct quotes from company executives and critics. Independent coverage from CNBC and Washington Post corroborates broader trends around AI lobbying spending ($3.17 million combined in Q2 2026) and debates over open-model competition, while the piece explicitly acknowledges counterarguments—notably the Pentagon's Kirsten Davies's criticism of 'pre-IPO valuation' concerns and a Washington Post opinion questioning whether open models pose genuine security threats. Watch for Anthropic's shareholder registration process and whether global jurisdictions adopt Australia's regulatory model, which could significantly influence market valuations and competitive dynamics between US and Chinese AI developers.