Jeff Bezos, founder and executive chairman of Amazon, has sold approximately $665 million worth of Amazon shares, marking a major financial move in what has become a summer-long stock sell-off. According to SEC filings, Bezos has offloaded a staggering $6.4 billion in Amazon shares since June 28, 2025, drawing attention from investors, analysts, and the media alike.
This latest batch of sales was executed under a 10b5-1 trading plan, a strategy designed to protect insiders from allegations of illegal insider trading. But beyond regulatory compliance, questions remain: Why is Bezos selling so much stock right now?
What Is the 10b5-1 Trading Plan?
The 10b5-1 plan is a legal mechanism that allows corporate insiders - such as executives and board members—to sell stocks at predetermined times, regardless of material non-public information they may possess. This protects both the seller and shareholders from insider trading concerns.
Bezos’ use of this plan indicates that these transactions were scheduled well in advance, possibly months ago, meaning they are not necessarily tied to any current Amazon-specific developments.
Breakdown of Bezos' Amazon Share Sales
- Total Sold Since June 28, 2025: $6.4 billion
- Most Recent Sale (July 2025): $665 million
- Method: Executed via a 10b5-1 plan
- Ownership Impact: Bezos remains Amazon’s largest individual shareholder
While this isn’t the first time Bezos has sold Amazon stock in bulk - he executed similar sales in 2020 and 2021—this is one of his most significant cash-outs in recent years.
People Also Ask
Why is Jeff Bezos selling Amazon stock?
While official statements cite pre-planned trading, speculation ranges from funding personal expenses, including his upcoming wedding to fiancée Lauren Sánchez, to preparing capital for new ventures through his investment firm Bezos Expeditions or Blue Origin, his aerospace company.
Is Jeff Bezos leaving Amazon?
No. As of now, Bezos remains Executive Chairman of Amazon. There are no indications he is stepping away completely, although his focus has shifted to other ventures and philanthropy.
How much Amazon stock does Jeff Bezos still own?
Even after selling billions in shares, Bezos retains a significant stake in Amazon, holding tens of billions of dollars in equity and remaining a key figure in its strategic direction.
What Could Bezos Be Planning?
The timing and volume of these sales have reignited theories around major life or business decisions:
- Personal Life: Bezos is reportedly planning an extravagant wedding with Sánchez, possibly accounting for a portion of the liquidations.
- New Investments: As interest in AI, space tech, and climate innovation grows, Bezos may be freeing capital to double down in these sectors.
- Philanthropy: He previously committed $10 billion to the Bezos Earth Fund, and more donations may be forthcoming.
How the Market Reacted
So far, Amazon’s stock has shown resilience, with minimal negative impact from the sell-offs. Investors appear confident that these sales are part of a routine financial strategy and not indicative of internal trouble at the tech giant.
However, analysts are closely watching for any future activity that could signal deeper strategic shifts either at Amazon or within Bezos’ broader portfolio.
Jeff Bezos’ $665 million stock sale is part of a much larger $6.4 billion sell-off in Amazon shares this summer. Though done under a pre-approved trading plan, the magnitude of these sales sparks curiosity about his next big move - whether in tech, space, philanthropy, or personal life.
As one of the world’s richest individuals and most influential entrepreneurs, every move Bezos makes sends ripples across markets and media. We’ll continue to monitor developments as they unfold.
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