Alternative Investing Report - April 28, 2026

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*as of 4/27; Sources: S&P, BTC, FTSE, DJRE, CL50

Tech giants continue to pour money into AI startups, with Google committing up to $40 billion in capital to Anthropic, just days after Amazon reached a similar $25 billion deal. Google’s deal calls for $10 billion upfront at a $350 billion valuation, with $30 billion contingent on performance targets in the future. Considering that Anthropic just hit a $1 trillion valuation on secondary markets, Google is getting a big stake at an implied discount. Meanwhile Chinese companies Alibaba and Tencent are in talks to invest in the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek at a $20 billion valuation.

➨ TAKEAWAY: These deals both provide significant capital to major AI startups and reinforce Big Tech’s bet on the success of these companies and the AI industry as a whole. For investors who can’t get access to Anthropic, they can now invest in Amazon or Google to get limited exposure, while investors looking for OpenAI can do the same with Microsoft. Also, don’t forget that Google also owns a large share of SpaceX and has Waymo in its portfolio.

🧑‍⚖️ Warsh’s path is cleared: With the Department of Justice ending its probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) ended his block of Kevin Warsh’s nomination to be the next Chair of the Federal Reserve. This all but ensures Warsh’s confirmation, and given his stated desire to cut interest rates, that could be good news for investors.

🪙 Bitcoin ETF inflows: Last week ended with spot Bitcoin ETFs extending their streak of positive inflows to 9 days, the longest streak since last September, with more than $2.1 billion total net capital invested. There have now been three weeks in a row of positive inflow data as demand for institutional products remains strong.

🏢 Industrial leasing jumps: Q1 saw industrial leasing activity increase by 17.8% year-over-year, as demand for large warehouses grew and saw Class A “mega-box” rents increase by 14.5% year-over-year.

💵 Venture debt hits decade highs: Thanks in large part to AI infrastructure loans, late-stage venture debt deals hit their highest level in a decade, as companies choose to take out loans rather than sell equity.

🏡 Asking prices falling: The median U.S. home listing price dropped 1.7% year-over-year and is down 2.3% year-over-year on a square-foot basis. With mortgage rates inching downwards again, this could mark a strong entry point into the market for buyers.

🍷 1870 Lafite magnum sale: A pair of 1870 Château Lafite Rothschild magnums sold for more than $300,000, more than triple pre-auction estimates, underscoring the demand for unique and rare bottles.

A Napa Valley winery that was once owned by Charles Shaw of “Two-Buck Chuck” fame is coming to auction next month. Benessere Vineyards is a 42-acre property that includes Napa River frontage, 29 acres of planted vines, a working winery, tasting room, and two separate residences with more than 6,300 square feet of living space combined. The property has been up for sale since 2024, when it was originally listed for $35 million. The price is now $28 million for anyone that wants to pre-empt the auction, or interested buyers can submit opening bids in the $8 million - $12 million range.