{"id":66905,"date":"2026-08-23T02:38:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T06:38:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/alibaba-launches-hk80-billion-ai-share-sale-deepseek-slashes-weekend-api-rates\/66905\/"},"modified":"2026-08-23T02:38:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T06:38:14","slug":"alibaba-launches-hk80-billion-ai-share-sale-deepseek-slashes-weekend-api-rates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/alibaba-launches-hk80-billion-ai-share-sale-deepseek-slashes-weekend-api-rates\/66905\/","title":{"rendered":"Alibaba Launches HK$80 Billion AI Share Sale; DeepSeek Slashes Weekend API Rates"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/alibaba-launches-hk80-billion-ai-share-sale-deepseek-slashes-weekend-api-rates\/66905\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/alibaba-launches-hk80-billion-ai-share-sale-deepseek-slashes-weekend-api-rates\/66905\/#Alibaba_Bets_Big_on_AI_with_Record_Share_Placement\" >Alibaba Bets Big on AI with Record Share Placement<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/alibaba-launches-hk80-billion-ai-share-sale-deepseek-slashes-weekend-api-rates\/66905\/#DeepSeek_Adjusts_API_Pricing_for_Developers\" >DeepSeek Adjusts API Pricing for Developers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/alibaba-launches-hk80-billion-ai-share-sale-deepseek-slashes-weekend-api-rates\/66905\/#Geopolitical_Tensions_and_Diplomatic_Maneuvers\" >Geopolitical Tensions and Diplomatic Maneuvers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/alibaba-launches-hk80-billion-ai-share-sale-deepseek-slashes-weekend-api-rates\/66905\/#Industrial_Disaster_in_Russia\" >Industrial Disaster in Russia<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/alibaba-launches-hk80-billion-ai-share-sale-deepseek-slashes-weekend-api-rates\/66905\/#Healthcare_Supply_Chains_Chinas_Albumin_Reliance\" >Healthcare Supply Chains: China\u2019s Albumin Reliance<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Alibaba (<a href=\"\/stock\/BABA\">BABA<\/a>)<\/strong> has announced a massive <strong>HK$80 billion ($10.2 billion)<\/strong> share placement in Hong Kong to fund its global <strong>AI infrastructure<\/strong> and full-stack development.<\/li>\n<li><strong>DeepSeek<\/strong> is transitioning to a <strong>weekend off-peak pricing<\/strong> model, offering developers a flat, lower rate on Saturdays and Sundays to optimize server loads.<\/li>\n<li><strong>President Masoud Pezeshkian<\/strong> of Iran has called for national unity regarding the <strong>Tehran-Washington memorandum of understanding<\/strong>, despite intense domestic criticism from hardliners.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te<\/strong> reaffirmed a &quot;peace through strength&quot; policy, announcing that defense spending will rise by <strong>16%<\/strong> to exceed <strong>T$1 trillion<\/strong> for the first time.<\/li>\n<li>A catastrophic fire at the <strong>Izhora industrial zone<\/strong> near Saint Petersburg has consumed over <strong>80,000 square meters<\/strong>, threatening critical Russian heavy machinery and logistics hubs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Alibaba_Bets_Big_on_AI_with_Record_Share_Placement\"><\/span>Alibaba Bets Big on AI with Record Share Placement<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In its largest capital raise since its 2019 Hong Kong listing, <strong>Alibaba Group Holding (<a href=\"\/stock\/BABA\">BABA<\/a>)<\/strong> announced on Sunday it will issue <strong>HK$80 billion ($10.2 billion)<\/strong> in new shares. The company stated that <strong>100% of the proceeds<\/strong> will be dedicated to its global <strong>artificial intelligence<\/strong> push, specifically targeting the expansion of AI infrastructure and cloud capabilities. This move marks the world&#39;s third-largest primary follow-on share sale this year, trailing only behind <strong>Alphabet (<a href=\"\/stock\/GOOGL\">GOOGL<\/a>)<\/strong> and <strong>Intel (<a href=\"\/stock\/INTC\">INTC<\/a>)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"DeepSeek_Adjusts_API_Pricing_for_Developers\"><\/span>DeepSeek Adjusts API Pricing for Developers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The AI startup <strong>DeepSeek<\/strong> has introduced a new pricing structure for its API users, effective August 23, 2026. The company will stop distinguishing between peak and off-peak rates during weekends, charging all Saturday and Sunday usage at the <strong>lower off-peak rate<\/strong>. This adjustment is designed to encourage developers to schedule intensive batch tasks during the weekend, potentially reducing costs for high-volume users by up to <strong>50%<\/strong> compared to weekday peak hours.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Geopolitical_Tensions_and_Diplomatic_Maneuvers\"><\/span>Geopolitical Tensions and Diplomatic Maneuvers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In Tehran, <strong>President Masoud Pezeshkian<\/strong> defended the recent <strong>Islamabad Memorandum<\/strong> with the United States, insisting that all Iranian authorities must support the agreement to ensure regional stability. Meanwhile, <strong>Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te<\/strong> visited the frontline island of Kinmen, where he emphasized that &quot;peace does not fall from the sky&quot; and must be secured through military deterrence. Taiwan\u2019s proposed 2027 budget includes a record <strong>T$1 trillion ($31.4 billion)<\/strong> in defense spending to counter increasing pressure from mainland China.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Industrial_Disaster_in_Russia\"><\/span>Industrial Disaster in Russia<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A massive fire broke out overnight at the <strong>Izhora industrial zone<\/strong> in Kolpino, near Saint Petersburg, expanding rapidly from 22,000 to over <strong>80,000 square meters<\/strong>. The site is a critical hub for Russian heavy industry, including metallurgy and nuclear equipment production, and is located near a major <strong>Ozon<\/strong> logistics center. While authorities have not reported a drone strike, the scale of the blaze has triggered a <strong>Level 4 emergency response<\/strong>, the second-highest complexity rating in the Russian fire service.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Healthcare_Supply_Chains_Chinas_Albumin_Reliance\"><\/span>Healthcare Supply Chains: China\u2019s Albumin Reliance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Despite ongoing geopolitical friction, <strong>China<\/strong> remains the world&#39;s largest consumer of <strong>human albumin<\/strong>, a vital plasma protein used in critical care. Market reports indicate that China continues to rely heavily on the <strong>United States<\/strong> for its plasma supply, though domestic firms like <strong>Wuhan Healthgen Biotechnology<\/strong> are racing to scale up <strong>rice-derived recombinant albumin<\/strong> to reduce this dependency. Analysts expect the global therapeutic albumin market to reach <strong>$13.33 billion by 2034<\/strong>, driven largely by demand in the Asia-Pacific region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways Alibaba (BABA) has announced a massive HK$80 billion ($10.2 billion) share placement in Hong Kong to fund its 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