Lynn Johannson, Advisor, Sustainability and ESG
January 4th, 2024
Public Market | Feb 13, 2025
Image: Freepik
According to many reports online, several prominent fintech and crypto firms are espousing Initial Public Offering (IPO) ambitions to publicly list in 2025 due to recent economic conditions in public markets. Is this growth sustainable or indicative of an overheated market? Lets explore these IPO ambitions, the companies and some of the risks and considerations for issuers and investors.
In 2024, the number of companies that went public in the U.S. grew significantly. According to EY, IPO proceeds jumped 45%, and the number of listings increased 40% compared to the previous year. Despite this improvement, IPO activity was still below pre-pandemic levels. U.S. News reports that Renaissance Capital is expecting 2025 to be a significant year for IPOs, estimating between 155 to 195 IPO deals that will raise $40-50 billion.
The surge in potential IPOs this year comes down to several key factors. Economic conditions have stabilized although we've yet to see the full impact of the Trump administration's tariff and trade war. Inflation has cooled and central banks are looking to keep interest rates lower which will make it easier for businesses to raise money. The stock market has been on fire, boosting company valuations, making going public an attractive option for high growth firms looking to expand. Important to understand that many companies that initially announce IPO ambitions may not ultimately follow through on their plans, and may delay or cancel the listing. There are also concerns that high stock valuations and investor speculation could further fuel a market bubble, which many analysts have written about. So, are these IPOs a sign of longer term recovery or a more temporary reaction to positive market conditions awash in capital?
Here's a list of ten highly anticipated fintech and crypto IPOs slated for 2025 with each offering a unique opportunity and set of risks.
BitGo is a leading crypto custody firm providing multi-sig wallets and custodial services for institutional clients and exchanges.BitGo is reportedly exploring an IPO in the second half of 2025. Institutional adoption of crypto is here now and there's growing demand for regulated crypto and digital asset storage solutions.
Founded by the Winklevoss twins, Gemini is a regulated cryptocurrency exchange and custodian with robust compliance and security. Bloomberg also reports Gemini is considering an IPO this year, looking to expand its offerings to global markets.
Peter Thiel backed Bullish Global, a crypto trading platform focused on offering deep liquidity and algorithmic trading services for institutional investors. Like other crypto exchanges, they are currently evaluating an IPO, looking to scale amidst growing interest and institutional adoption of regulated digital asset trading.
Circle is the issuer of USDC, one of the most widely used stablecoins in the crypto industry. The company has filed for an IPO with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and plans to move its headquarters to New York ahead of the listing. A date has not yet been announced.
Kraken is a major cryptocurrency exchange known for its wide range of trading pairs and regulatory compliance. They've long hinted at an IPO and could move forward with plans in 2025, depending on market conditions and how things line up.
Klarna is a leading "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) fintech that is a game-changer in the retail payments sector. The Swedish firm is targeting a U.S. IPO in 2025, at an expected valuation of $15-20 billion.
Chime is a digital banking platform offering fee-free banking and early paycheck access. The company is reportedly working with Morgan Stanley on a 2025 IPO, aiming for a $25 billion valuation.
Revolut is a UK-based digital banking app that offers a range of financial services such as currency exchange, stock and cryptocurrency trading. Rumours have it Revolut is preparing for an IPO in 2025, and its one to watch.
eToro, a social trading and investment platform, allowing users to trade different financial assets, including stocks and cryptocurrencies. The Israel-based company filed confidentially for an IPO in January 2025, seeking a valuation of around $5 billion.
Stripe is a leading global payments processing company that has been a highly anticipated IPO candidate for several years. They've made some strategic moves including hiring a seasoned CFO who issued tender offers for employees to sell shares, indicating preparations for an IPO.
Not every company announcing an IPO will go through with it. Some may delay or cancel if market conditions change or they secure better private funding. Overvaluation is key risk. Some IPOs launch at inflated prices that don’t match a company’s actual financial strength, which can lead to potential losses if stock prices drop after the initial excitement of the IPO fades.
There’s also concern about a market bubble. If too many companies go public at high valuations, investor speculation could outpace business fundamentals, triggering a downturn.
In fintech and crypto, regulatory changes are another factor. While the Trump administration is quite pro-crypto they are still developing a digital asset regulatory framework. Many other governments are still developing rules for both crypto and modernized payments, so in the case of tighter/stricter regulations, it may impact company operations and thus stock performance.
Due diligence is key for investors. Understanding each company’s financials, growth potential, and competitive outlook, while avoiding hype and speculation, helps avoid costly mistakes. While 2025 looks to present several pent-up large IPO opportunities, smart investing means balancing excitement with caution.
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