Opendoor Surges 25.62% on $900M Volume as Retail Hype and Crypto Investor Backing Push Stock to 96th-Ranked Rally

Opendoor (OPEN) surged 25.62% on August 14, 2025, with a trading volume of $900 million, ranking 96th in market activity. The rally followed renewed retail investor engagement and high-profile endorsements. Anthony Pompliano, a prominent crypto investor, disclosed a stake in the stock on August 12, emphasizing the influence of retail traders in driving market narratives. His public backing triggered immediate price gains and intensified social media discussions around the stock. Pompliano later arranged an interview with Opendoor CEO Carrie Wheeler for his podcast, further amplifying investor interest.

The momentum was reinforced by Eric Jackson, a hedge fund manager known for his 2023 Carvana (CVNA) call, who reiterated bullish sentiment toward Opendoor. Jackson criticized the company’s leadership and expressed openness to joining its board, reigniting speculative trading. Social media mentions of the stock on platforms like Reddit increased by 234% in 24 hours, reflecting heightened retail participation. Despite lacking fundamental catalysts, the stock’s 60% five-day gain suggests speculative positioning rather than valuation-driven buying.

Wall Street analysts remain skeptical, citing Opendoor’s high debt, inconsistent profitability, and exposure to a volatile housing market. The stock’s recent performance mirrors its July 2025 surge, which collapsed after an initial 84% year-to-date gain. Analysts warn that retail-driven rallies often lack sustainability, particularly when tied to narrative-driven hype rather than operational improvements. Investors are cautioned to assess risks amid ongoing volatility and divergent institutional and retail sentiment.

A backtested strategy of purchasing the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding for one day from 2022 yielded a 0.98% average daily return and a cumulative 31.52% return over 365 days. This indicates short-term momentum capture but highlights exposure to market timing risks and volatility inherent in high-volume trading strategies.