Klarna’s long-anticipated move toward going public is reigniting conversations about which fintech players might follow suit. As the Swedish payments giant gears up for its IPO, attention naturally turns to other venture-backed fintech startups that seem primed for their own stock market debuts.
The pipeline of potential IPO candidates in this sector is surprisingly deep, with many household names holding off for years despite raising billions. Using Crunchbase’s latest market forecasting tools, we’ve narrowed down a dozen fintech startups drawing the most buzz as possible IPO contenders.
Stripe and Chime Lead the Pack in Funding and Valuation
Among the strongest candidates are U.S.-based heavyweights Stripe and Chime — two fintech giants that have consistently dominated private funding rounds.
Stripe, the online payments processor founded in 2010, remains the most heavily funded of the group. The company has resisted public pressure to list, thanks in part to its robust financial position. Two years ago, Stripe raised a staggering $6.5 billion in Series I financing. More recently, it completed a tender offer for employees’ shares that pegged its valuation at a jaw-dropping $91.5 billion. With such a war chest, Stripe isn’t in a rush to hit the public markets — but the buzz around its IPO potential is louder than ever.
Meanwhile, digital banking platform Chime looks much closer to making the leap. Reports suggest the San Francisco-based neobank has already filed confidentially for an IPO. Since its founding in 2012, Chime has secured $2.3 billion in equity funding, building a loyal user base with its fee-free banking services.
Crypto and Blockchain Unicorns Enter the IPO Conversation
The list of likely fintech IPOs also features a strong showing from the crypto and blockchain world — a sector that has weathered its share of turbulence but continues to draw investor attention.
Circle, the company behind the widely used USDC stablecoin, is a top contender. Now based in New York, Circle has pulled in over $1.1 billion in funding. Its relocation signals serious intent to push forward with public offering plans.
MoonPay, a Miami-based crypto payments infrastructure firm, also makes the shortlist. After raising $650 million, MoonPay recently expanded its footprint by acquiring stablecoin startup Iron. Meanwhile, Ripple — a longstanding blockchain innovator in San Francisco — continues to generate chatter about an IPO, fueled by its ongoing growth and legal victories.
Global Players Ready to Step Into the Spotlight
Fintech IPO excitement isn’t limited to U.S. shores. A number of international unicorns are positioning themselves for the public markets.
Melbourne-based Airwallex stands out among global players, offering cross-border payment solutions for businesses. The company has raised more than $900 million, making it one of Australia’s most promising fintech startups.
Southeast Asia is also well-represented. Jakarta-based Akulaku Group and Xendit are both building momentum with regional payment platforms that have caught the attention of global investors. In the Philippines, Mynt is gaining ground as a top payment platform, backed by a strong investor network.
Will 2025 Spark the Next Fintech IPO Wave?
After a quiet couple of years for fintech IPOs, many are wondering if 2025 could finally deliver the blockbuster listings the industry has been waiting for.
The timing would be welcome. Since the IPO boom of 2021 and early 2022, the fintech sector has largely stayed out of the public market spotlight. Recent pullbacks in leading tech stocks have added to the hesitation.
Still, perfect conditions are rare. For some of these high-profile unicorns, the current landscape might be as good as it gets. Market watchers now wait to see which fintech giant will be next to test the waters.
