The previously scrappy domain of digital assets has evolved into a field characterized by systematic governance, audited financial statements, and scalable business models.
Platforms that originated as weekend projects now resemble conventional financial entities, equipped with compliance teams, investor relations divisions, and long-term capital strategies. “We are currently IPO-ready,” MEXC chief operating officer (COO) Tracy Jin stated to Cointelegraph.
On June 5, Circle, the issuer of the USDC (USDC) stablecoin, secured $1.1 billion during its public introduction, surpassing forecasts and marking a record-breaking 167% rise on its initial trading day.
On June 6, Gemini, the exchange established by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, also submitted a confidential filing for a US listing, followed by a similar submission from Bullish, the digital asset exchange supported by billionaire investor Peter Thiel, on June 10.
“Enhanced market sentiment is the foundation of a successful launch,” Jin remarked, highlighting the influx of capital into spot Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) ETFs in the US as a significant factor. The bullish market environment has escalated valuations and generated a wealth effect for early investors, opening the IPO pathway.
Related: Tether CEO dismisses IPO, claims $515B valuation is ’somewhat bearish’
Regulatory clarity amplifies IPO enthusiasm
Nonetheless, sentiment alone isn’t propelling the trend. According to Jin, long-awaited regulatory clarity is a crucial element. Frameworks like Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) in Europe and US ETF approvals have helped mitigate risks for institutional investors.
“For years, the uncertainty in jurisdictions such as the United States made public market investors cautious,” she pointed out. The new regulations might not be exhaustive, but they offer sufficient structure to legitimize listings in the eyes of Wall Street.
MEXC’s COO is convinced that the industry itself has matured significantly. “Crypto is no longer a budding sector run from garages,” Jin asserted. With audited financial statements, established governance, and sustainable revenue from custody, staking, and trading, crypto firms are now “IPO-ready.”
Regarding the types of firms that will lead this new IPO era, Jin foresees infrastructure and fintech-adjacent companies taking the forefront. Blockchain analytics, staking services, and secure custody providers will be among the primary contenders, alongside stablecoin issuers.
“The momentum is sustainable, but it will be discerning,” she noted. “Companies with clear, defensible business models that resemble tech or fintech more than a simple wager on token prices will be the most successful.”
Asia poised for a crypto surge
Asia could emerge as a focal point of activity. Jin highlighted Metaplanet’s Bitcoin treasury strategy as indicative of increasing regional adoption. “It’s no longer merely a MicroStrategy narrative,” she commented, observing that concerns about currency depreciation in Japan have rendered BTC an appealing hedge.
She envisions a future for crypto-linked financial innovations. Strategy’s utilization of convertible notes to provide yield with upside potential has established a precedent. “I fully anticipate seeing an influx of structured products from major banks like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan,” Jin stated.
This doesn’t imply that institutions are prepared to hold crypto on their balance sheets en masse, but it signifies a movement in that direction. Jin perceives these instruments as “a blueprint for mainstream acceptance” that begins as a niche strategy and gradually fosters institutional comfort with the asset class.
Magazine: China threatened by US stablecoins, G7 urged to address Lazarus Group: Asia Express
