Circle Smashes the IPO Window Open 🚀 (TWIF 6/8)

Backers of stablecoin issuer Circlesought to raise up to $896 million by increasing the size of the company’s planned IPO – and it wasn't enough!

Chime, the digital banking startup, is targeting a $9.5 billion to $11.2 billion valuation in its upcoming U.S. IPO. The listing marked a significant step for Chime as it aimed to become a public fintech leader after years of rapid user growth.

UK-based fintech Wiseannounced plans to shift its primary stock market listing to the U.S., dealing a blow to the London Stock Exchange. The company will pursue a split listing between both markets.

Crypto firm Geminiconfidentially filed for a U.S. IPO, signaling its intent to go public amid improving sentiment in the digital asset space. The filing underscored Gemini’s efforts to regain momentum after a turbulent 2023.

Several F-Prime portfolio companies, including Stripe and Klarna, moved closer to potential IPOs in 2025. The firm’s strong fintech pipeline positioned it for multiple exits in a rebounding public markets environment.

SPAC FG Merger IIIfiled for a $150 million IPO to target businesses in the financial services sector.

dLocalannounced plans to acquire Africa-focused fintech AZA Finance, aiming to strengthen its cross-border payments infrastructure and presence in frontier markets.

FalconXacquired a majority stake in hedge fund Monarq, expanding its services into active crypto asset management

TP ICAPacquired fixed income data platform Neptune Networks to establish a dealer-to-client credit business.

ePassi Groupacquired UK-based employee benefits platform Zest, expanding its reach in the European employee benefits space.

SurePaysecured a growth investment from Connected Capital to accelerate expansion across Europe and further develop its Confirmation of Payee and payment fraud prevention services.

Robinhoodfinalized its acquisition of crypto exchange Bitstamp for approximately $200 million in cash.

Quadientacquired French fintech Serensia, enhancing its digital financial automation offering across Europe.

Prosperity Partnerscompleted its acquisition of Canadian wealth management firm Danaher Attig Plante, expanding its national network and assets under management.

Datasiteacquired private markets intelligence platform Grata to enhance its deal-sourcing and M&A analytics capabilities for investment professionals.

IK Partnersbacked Irish wealth management firm Kestrel Capital, marking its first investment in the sector in Ireland. Kestrel manages over €1 billion in assets and plans to use the partnership to accelerate growth and expand its digital offering.

Arax Investment PartnersacquiredSchechter Investment Advisors, a Michigan-based wealth management firm with $1.7 billion in assets under management.

Franklin Templetonacquired private credit manager Apera Asset Management, strengthening its foothold in the European private markets space. The deal, part of Franklin Templeton’s ongoing alternative asset expansion, added over €2.5 billion in assets under management.

UniCreditsecured EU clearance for its proposed €10 billion-plus acquisition of Italian rival Banco BPM.