AI's debt binge can't last, hidden borrowing reaches $1.65T
That means even more bond issuance is on the way after an already staggering debt orgy. The numbers paint a picture of a borrowing binge that’s bigger—and murkier—than it looks on paper. S&P Global counts $225 billion in bonds issued by hyperscalers and related entities like Nvidia so far this year, putting them on pace for a record haul in 2026—but that’s just the visible debt.
- ▪That means even more bond issuance is on the way after an already staggering debt orgy.
- ▪The numbers paint a picture of a borrowing binge that’s bigger—and murkier—than it looks on paper.
- ▪S&P Global counts $225 billion in bonds issued by hyperscalers and related entities like Nvidia so far this year, putting them on pace for a record haul in 2026—but that’s just the visible debt.
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| Original publisher | Fortune |
| Canonical URL | https://fortune.com/2026/07/31/ai-debt-hypescalers-capex-capital-spending-hidden-borrowing-bond-issuance/ |
| Publication time | Mon, 03 Aug 2026 20:02:21 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-08-03T20:10:42.918Z |
| Last seen | 2026-08-03T20:10:42.918Z |
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| Cluster | huBK5TIYI0YI · 1 stories |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
AI’s insatiable need for debt has so far been matched by investors’ appetite for it, but they may turn nauseous on the belly-busting volumes coming from tech giants.Recommended Video The latest quarterly reports from AI hyperscalers show that their massive spending plans remain on track, with Amazon even raising its capital expenditure guidance. That means even more bond issuance is on the way after an already staggering debt orgy. The numbers paint a picture of a borrowing binge that’s bigger—and murkier—than it looks on paper. S&P Global counts $225 billion in bonds issued by hyperscalers and related entities like Nvidia so far this year, putting them on pace for a record haul in 2026—but that’s just the visible debt. Other analyses suggest so-called hidden debt at the five U.S.
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