Saad Ullah
In options trading, timing can be everything. When a mystery trader dropped $6 million on out-of-the-money AMD calls just two days before OpenAI revealed a 10% stake in the company, it looked like either incredible luck or insider knowledge. The result? An $18 million payday that's already being called one of the most impressive trades of the year.
The Trade That Caught Everyone's Attention
Options flow tracker Cheddar Flow flagged the unusual activity on October 2nd, calling it "super unusual" — trader speak for something that doesn't happen every day. Within 48 hours, AMD stock rocketed from around $180 to above $220 after OpenAI dropped the news. Those call options shot up over 300% almost overnight. Whether the trader had inside information or just phenomenal timing, the market is buzzing.
This isn't just about one company buying shares in another. OpenAI's move signals a strategic shift away from putting all its eggs in NVIDIA's basket. While NVIDIA has dominated AI chips for years, AMD has been quietly building up its MI300 accelerators and expanding partnerships across cloud and AI platforms. For OpenAI, diversifying chip suppliers means better bargaining power and insurance against supply chain issues. For AMD, landing OpenAI as a partner could open doors to more high-profile contracts and cement its position as NVIDIA's main challenger in AI hardware.
What This Means Going Forward
Short-term traders just witnessed one of the most profitable options plays of the year, proving once again that following unusual options flow can pay off big. For long-term investors, OpenAI's endorsement validates AMD as a serious contender in AI infrastructure, not just a second-place alternative to NVIDIA. The AI chip market is heating up, and NVIDIA's near-monopoly is starting to face real competition.
This trade delivered a massive payday for one lucky or well-informed trader, but it's also sparked a broader conversation about AMD's future in artificial intelligence. If OpenAI deepens this partnership, AMD could become a cornerstone of the AI revolution rather than just riding NVIDIA's coattails. Time will tell whether this rally has staying power or if it's just a flash in the pan.
Saad Ullah
