Cryptocurrency exchange Gemini has signed up Nasdaq, the leading US stock exchange operator, as a strategic investor ahead of its initial public offering (IPO). According to Reuters, Nasdaq will purchase $50 million worth of shares during Gemini's IPO.
Nasdaq Makes $50 Million Contribution
Gemini, founded by brothers Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, has accelerated its long-awaited IPO preparations. Under the company's plan filed with Nasdaq, 16.6 million Class A shares will be offered at a price between $17 and $19. This offering, with additional options, is expected to raise over $300 million.
According to sources, Nasdaq will acquire $50 million worth of shares through a private placement simultaneously with the IPO. Thanks to this agreement, Nasdaq customers will gain access to Gemini's custody and staking services, while Gemini's institutional customers will be able to use Nasdaq's Calypso platform, developed for managing trade collateral.
Market conditions will be decisive
While neither party has officially commented on the matter, it was stated that the agreement is subject to change depending on market conditions. The recent volatility in crypto markets, in particular, could affect investor appetite during the IPO process.
Nevertheless, Nasdaq's move signals that the boundaries between crypto and traditional finance are rapidly blurring. Indeed, Nasdaq recently filed a petition with the SEC for regulatory changes regarding tokenized securities. This initiative aims to pave the way for blockchain-based versions of traditional stocks to be traded legally.
Strong financials, high targets
Gemini's financial data disclosed in its IPO filing fell short of expectations. The company reported a net loss of $282.5 million in the first half of 2025. This figure is nearly seven times the $41.4 million loss in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA figures also fell from a $32 million profit to a $113.5 million loss. For the full year 2024, a $158.5 million loss was recorded on $142.2 million in revenue.
Despite this outlook, Gemini believes the IPO will attract strong investor interest. The support of a major institution like Nasdaq further bolsters this confidence. With Gemini's listing on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "GEMI," it is expected to become the third publicly traded crypto exchange in the US, following Coinbase and Bullish.
Crypto companies are racing to go public
Gemini's move is part of a wave of IPOs in the crypto ecosystem. Companies like Circle and Bullish have previously experienced strong openings on US exchanges. Circle's IPO as a USDC issuer generated significant interest, with Bullish shares surging over 150% on their first day of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Gemini's success could further fuel the appetite for crypto companies to go public. Players like Grayscale, Kraken, Figure, and BitGo also have similar plans.
