Peter Thiel-Backed Bitpanda Sets Sights on Frankfurt IPO in H1 2026

Bitpanda is poised to debut on the Frankfurt stock market in the first half of 2026, transitioning from one of Europe’s leading retail cryptocurrency platforms to a publicly traded company.

Key Takeaways

Bitpanda intends to launch an IPO on the Frankfurt stock exchange in the first half of 2026.
The company aims for a valuation between €4 billion and €5 billion.
The IPO is part of a broader trend of cryptocurrency companies looking to capitalize on improving market conditions.
Regulatory changes in Europe are driving firms to enhance compliance as they prepare for public offerings.
Major financial institutions are collaborating with Bitpanda to bolster its market position.

Bitpanda

According to a report from Bloomberg, the Vienna-based firm aims for a valuation between €4 billion and €5 billion (approximately $4.6 billion to $5.8 billion). The company has enlisted the help of financial giants Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and Deutsche Bank for this endeavor. A listing in the first quarter is viewed as a viable option.

As of press time, Bitpanda had not responded to Cryptonews' request for comment.

Bitpanda Seeks to Enhance Liquidity Through Listing Options

The timing is crucial for cryptocurrency traders, as listings often follow liquidity trends. A successful public offering would strengthen Bitpanda's balance sheet, facilitating product expansion, licensing, and the building of custody infrastructure. This timing aligns well with Europe's push for stricter compliance under the EU's MiCA regulations.

Last year, Bitpanda's CEO Eric Demuth indicated that the company would not consider the UK for its listing due to low liquidity on the London Stock Exchange. Instead, Demuth is considering Frankfurt or New York, favoring markets that support consistent trading volumes and increased institutional interest in cryptocurrencies.

Crypto Companies Line Up as IPO Market Revives

Frankfurt is also strategically aligned with Bitpanda's activities within Germany’s banking sector. Deutsche Bank plans to launch a cryptocurrency custody service in 2026 and has partnered with Bitpanda’s technology division, with Taurus supplying the digital asset infrastructure.

Regulatory pressures are encouraging firms to formalize their licensing plans across the EU in advance of the June 30, 2026 transition deadline. This regulatory environment is beneficial for platforms that can scale their compliance efforts alongside their growth.

The public markets are beginning to open up for crypto companies. In June 2025, Circle priced its IPO for NYSE trading under the symbol CRCL, while Bullish completed its IPO in August 2025, trading under the symbol BLSH. Gemini announced the completion of its IPO in September 2025.

The 2026 IPO calendar is becoming increasingly busy. Kraken has quietly submitted a draft S-1 for a proposed IPO, and BitGo has indicated a specific valuation target for its US listing initiative. Investors are focused on identifying which companies can translate their crypto revenues into lasting public market success.