By
Steve Muchoki
April 19th, 2024
The initial plan of Robinhood was for the IPO to be done in June but the plans stretched to July.
A reliable source has it that In the past, the SEC has been concerned about Robinhood‘s growing business related to cryptocurrencies. While the company may be listed by summer, those plans may as well be achieved later, probably in fall. Robinhood plans to put its house in order and publicize its past financial performances to make way for the public listing. A company’s spokesperson disclosed that a successful Initial Public Offer (IPO) filing was done earlier in the year, March. According to Bloomberg, the initial plan of Robinhood was for the IPO to be done in June but the plans stretched to July.
Robinhood Activities amid Its IPO Plans
Robinhood began trading cryptos two years ago, 2018. Today the company’s portfolio includes Bitcoin, Litecoin, and even meme-based Dogecoin which started as a joke. Besides the mentioned digital coins, clients can get many products on this platform. Robinhood is particularly popular with first time (novice) crypto investors. Robinhood became both popular and controversial during the pandemic and has elected new members to its board. The company is also popular for meme stocks.
The crypto market has been very volatile this year. Bitcoin achieved a high of $64,000 after being backed and endorsed by high-profile investors, notably Elon Musk. However, the rally was short-lived and the prices dipped to as below $30 K in June. Other crypto have been following the same trend increasing uncertainty in the general market.
Sometimes in the near future, Gary Gensler, the current SEC chair, is expected to make momentous rulings on digital assets. Robinhood made the application in a “bad year”. The SEC has been busy, thanks to the many IPOs, particularly for Special Acquisition Companies (SPACs) in their in-tray. These delays have however caused an equity backlog in capital markets. As per Bloomberg’s report, SEC staff has however warned lawyers that this time around, it may take well over a month to review SPAC paperwork. Additionally, they can expect another two to three weeks to get feedback on changes and amendments.
What Ails the Cryptocurrency Market
In the recent past, China has intensified its crackdown on crypto, particularly Bitcoin. Following the Chinese government’s decision to launch a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), the digital Yuan, Bitcoin was no more welcome. In fact, all Bitcoin-focused activities were banned.
Last month, the Chinese government denied rumors suggesting that they wanted to ban Bitcoin mining. However, the same authorities reviewed the same matter, but this time said that they wanted Bitcoin miners out ASAP.
The decision was informed by the thinking that Bitcoin and the digital Yuan would not thrive in a common environment. Government authorities believed that when put in the same ecosystem, Bitcoin would outshine the digital Yuan and possibly hinder its growth.