Kraken IPO Plans for 2026: Crypto Exchange Set for Public Listing

People close to the matter told Bloomberg that the decision hasn’t been publicly announced yet, as plans can still change by then. Sources said the company would pursue public markets, which will be beneficial for clients, partners, and shareholders.

This news comes as regulations seem to clear up in the US.

Earlier, Kraken co-CEO Dave Ripley announced that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) agreed to dismiss its lawsuit against the exchange.

Dave Ripley stated that the end of the lawsuit is a big win for the whole crypto industry as it shows regulation by enforcement has failed. Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the largest crypto exchanges.  

In November 2023, the SEC sued Kraken for operating its crypto trading platform as an unregistered securities exchange.

The end of the lawsuit paves Kraken’s path toward the IPO, as regulations won’t block its way. Besides Kraken, the SEC dropped a number of other lawsuits, including those against Consensys, Coinbase, Robinhood, OpenSea, and Gemini.

As the new regulatory landscape is taking shape, reports surfaced about Gemini’s potential IPO.

Coinbase was the first major crypto exchange to launch an IPO in April 2021. The exchange faced regulatory scrutiny and was hit with a lawsuit from the SEC regarding its listing policies.

US Crypto Regulations and the Future of Businesses

Regulations are one of the most closely watched aspects of the crypto community. Investor and trader Scott Melker, The Wolf Of All Streets, recently shared a list of crypto companies that the SEC has ceased lawsuits against since February 2025.

In the post, he teased former SEC chair Gary Gensler, who’s known for his anti-crypto policy and enforcement actions.

Now, the Trump administration and new SEC leadership are changing the course of events. For Kraken and other US-based companies, this means clear guidelines in the upcoming future and more business opportunities.

This shift could encourage more traditional financial institutions to dive into the crypto space, as clearer regulations reduce the perceived risk. It might also open the door for new investments and partnerships, giving businesses and investors a clearer idea of what’s expected from them. For example, the Kraken IPO could make it easier for other companies to go public too.

The end of lawsuits for these companies suggests that the regulatory approach is moving from reactive enforcement to proactive collaboration. This means crypto firms might have more chances to help shape regulations that fit the industry better. There’s still work to do, but it looks like the US government is heading toward a more balanced approach to crypto regulation.

Related: Kraken Faces Record Law Enforcement Requests, Discloses 10,369 Accounts

Investors are paying close attention, as these changes could affect everything from how crypto companies are valued to their ability to expand. 

The easing of regulatory pressure on big players like Kraken, Coinbase, and Gemini signals a better environment for growth and innovation in crypto.