DeepSeek founder and CEO Liang Wenfeng has not appeared publicly since a televised meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in February 2025. Speculation continues over Liang’s whereabouts, but recent data indicate his control over DeepSeek remains strong.
Liang’s equity stake recently rose sharply from 1 percent to 34 percent, while his subscribed capital increased from 100,000 yuan to 5.1 million yuan. DeepSeek’s registered capital also grew, from 10 million yuan to 15 million yuan, signaling expanded company resources and investment [1].
Meanwhile, researcher Chen Deli has begun to take a more visible role at DeepSeek. He posted publicly on his personal X account this past Friday following the release of the company’s V4 model, attracting nearly 24,000 followers. Chen wrote, "484 days later, we humbly share our labour of love. As always, we stay true to long-termism and open source for all," directly referencing the time elapsed since Liang’s last public appearance [1].
DeepSeek personnel have otherwise remained active on social platforms, sharing information related to new product releases and company news. Chen’s increased engagement suggests he may be shaping DeepSeek’s public communications as Liang stays out of the spotlight [1].
The company appears to be consolidating internal control while expanding its public-facing team. Both financial data and personnel activity indicate Liang Wenfeng still holds significant company influence despite his absence. Chen Deli’s rising profile may signal a subtle shift in leadership presentation ahead of future announcements or launches [1].
DeepSeek’s next significant event is expected to focus on further development or updates to its AI models and related technology, though no firm date has been disclosed.
