An Initial Public Offering (IPO) is a significant event in a company’s development and expansion. For investors and traders, new IPOs may mean new trading opportunities. The upcoming year is considered to bring many more companies going public than in the last couple of years. To prepare you for the forthcoming years, we have compiled the most anticipated IPOs that are expected to take place. Meanwhile, to track the already announced IPOs worldwide, you can use the IPO calendar, which provides the offer price and the number of shares offered.
- Anthropic
A major player in the AI field, Anthropic, is allegedly considering an IPO in 2026, though an official announcement has not been made. Apart from that, the company is looking for a new round of VC funding, with the valuation potentially surpassing $300 billion. As the basis for potential IPO talks, the fact that Anthropic hired a law firm, potentially preparing for the procedure, and engaged in internal IPO discussions with investment banks, although these are claimed to be introductory, served as a key factor. If Anthropic is intended to go public in the AI sector, that may mean further escalation of the technology and even fiercer rivalry.
- OpenAI
One of the leaders of the ongoing AI boom, OpenAI, is reportedly laying the groundwork for its IPO and may file with regulators in 2026. The potential valuation may reach $1 trillion. However, some analysts believe that the value is highly inflated and doesn’t reflect the real state of affairs. For the company, the IPO would pave the way to raise the funds required to continue the intense competition in the AI race, as rivals keep pace, with Google releasing a new Gemini model and Anthropic securing strategic partnerships with some of the most prominent players.
- SpaceX
The company plans to conduct its IPO in 2026, although market conditions and other factors may influence the precise date. The valuation of SpaceX, a leading company in the aerospace segment, may reach $1,5 trillion, though here the value is viewed as not inflated. Interestingly, the news also attracted attention due to the potential ticker’s name. Some believe that X may be chosen, which could mean the further merging of Musk’s companies into a single tech giant.
- Kraken
A major cryptocurrency exchange, Kraken, has confidentially filed for an IPO in 2026. Given the exchange’s long history and position, this IPO may become the most anticipated in the crypto segment. The company’s valuation is estimated at $20 billion. This IPO would lead to Kraken being viewed as more than just a crypto exchange, but rather a major financial platform.
- PayPay
A notable Japanese mobile payment app is considering an IPO, which is expected to take place in early 2026. The valuation is anticipated to exceed $20 billion. Formerly, the IPO was planned for 2025, but due to the U.S. government shutdown, the time was changed.
Though an IPO may bring new opportunities to both companies and investors, risks should be evaluated. Therefore, the question raised is the methods used to prevent mass selling, which could negatively affect the stock's performance. The so-called lockups, which limit employees and other internal holders from selling their stock immediately, may be prolonged. Moreover, shares may be potentially sold in phases — for instance, quarterly or semiannually.
So, 2026 is expected to be a prominent year in terms of IPO, especially with such giants taking their turn. Moreover, the new players may join the list later during the year.
This article was written in cooperation with TRADINGVIEW