Kraken seeks $20B valuation ahead of IPO, boosting investor confidence as crypto markets recover and rivals like Coinbase dominate.
Crypto exchange Kraken is in late-stage discussions with a strategic investor for a major funding round. According to Bloomberg, the deal could raise $200m to $300m, which values the company at almost $20bn. The move comes as Kraken prepares itself for an initial public offering (IPO) in early 2026. People familiar with the matter warned that the talks are still subject to the conditions in the marketplace.
IPO Ambitions Fuel Kraken’s Push for New Funding
The proposed round would follow Kraken’s latest $500 million raise at $15 billion valuation, blocked out by Fortune earlier this month. That financing included support from Tribe Capital and Fidelity, long-time supporters of the San Francisco-based exchange. The latest talks imply an increase of investors’ confidence as market sentiment improves. Kraken’s push for fresh capital reflects its aim to give Coinbase, top of the top U.S. crypto exchange by trading volume, some run for the money.
Kraken has retained Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Group to handle its IPO process, Bloomberg said. The firm had considered a direct listing as early as 2021, but put the effort on hold following regulatory uncertainty and volatile crypto prices. This time, management seems determined to go ahead, aided by a stronger balance sheet and renewal of industry optimism. A successful raise would give access to more resources for expansion in preparation for the listing.
Related Reading: Crypto Exchange Kraken Plans IPO by Early 2026 | Live Bitcoin News
Other crypto businesses are developing similar strategies. Circle went public in June and its shares skyrocketed over sevenfold after it went public. Bullish and Figure additionally tapped U.S. markets more early in 2018, riding enhanced regulatory sentiment below the administration of President Donald Trump. Analysts say these developments reflect a more favourable landscape for digital asset firms that want access to public capital.
Kraken’s Funding Talks Signal Renewed Confidence in Crypto Markets
Coinbase set the standard for the sector when it went public in 2021 at $86 billion in valuation. While its market capitalization has come and gone with the cycle of digital assets, Coinbase remains the biggest US exchange. Kraken’s potential $20 billion valuation would have it part of the top group of players in the sector, but behind Coinbase in scale. Industry experts contend that investor appetite for Kraken will rest on how well it can stand out in a crowded field.
BitGo IPO filing highlights the buzz for crypto-related listings. The custodian became the first committed US crypto storage provider seeking a public debut. Market watchers think Kraken’s offering will be a test of demand further, particularly after these two years of tempest. The meltdown of several companies was followed by severe recovery, leading to belief in digital assets again for their potential as investable instruments.
But ultimately, Kraken’s latest round of funding talks speaks to the application of a new dynamism to the industry. With institutional backing and strategic support via Wall Street, the purpose of the exchange is believed to be akin to Coinbase. If carried out, the raise would strengthen its financial firepower to enable global expansion and product innovation.
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