Perplexity Offers $34.5 Billion for Chrome in Bold Antitrust Play

AI startup Perplexity AI has made an unsolicited all-cash offer of $34.5 billion to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, positioning itself as a buyer should regulators force Alphabet to divest the asset in its ongoing U.S. antitrust case. The move marks an audacious step for the three-year-old firm, valued at just over $18 billion.

A Strategic Proposal Amid Regulatory Pressure

The bid comes as U.S. authorities weigh potential remedies that could include breaking off Chrome to reduce Google’s market dominance. In a letter to Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Perplexity pledged to preserve Chrome’s open-source framework, retain its workforce, invest $3 billion in development over two years, and keep Google as the default search engine.

While the proposal outlines a smooth transition, it also positions Perplexity to gain an instant foothold in the browser market—one of the most influential gateways to AI-powered search and user data.

Market Reaction and Doubts Over Feasibility

The offer, almost twice Perplexity’s own market value, has raised questions about the company’s ability to finance such a deal. Industry analysts note the bid could be as much about publicity as acquisition, given the exposure it brings to Perplexity’s own AI browser, Comet.

Perplexity claims to have secured commitments from multiple investors for the full amount, but Alphabet has yet to issue a formal response. Market sentiment remains mixed, with some seeing the move as a serious opening gambit and others as a high-profile marketing play.

Stakes for Browser Control and AI Competition

If the deal were to succeed, Perplexity would gain access to Chrome’s user base of more than three billion—instantly transforming its scale and competitive standing. Such a shift could reshape the browser market, intensify competition in AI-enhanced search, and force incumbents to rethink distribution and monetization strategies.

Even if the bid is ultimately rejected, it signals a new phase in the battle for control over the digital entry points that underpin search, advertising, and data-driven AI systems.

Tips for Traders

• Watch legal milestones: Court decisions on antitrust remedies could drive sharp moves in Alphabet’s stock.

• Gauge market sentiment toward Perplexity: Publicity gains could influence private funding rounds or IPO timing.

• Track shifts in AI-browser integration: Any disruption in Chrome’s ownership could open doors for rivals.

• Position in event-driven trades: Headlines around the bid and antitrust case may create tactical entry points.

• Monitor broader tech indices: Market volatility could extend beyond Alphabet to sector-wide plays.