From Tokens to Stocks: The IPO Trend in the Web3 Industry

This report by Tiger Research analyzes why Web3 companies are shifting from token-based fundraising to IPOs, and how this transition impacts their growth strategies

This report by Tiger Research examines the increasing shift of Web3 companies from token-based fundraising to Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) as a key strategy for their next growth phase. It delves into the reasons behind this transition and its implications on the companies' growth and the broader industry ecosystem.

Despite the rapid development of the Web3 industry, many crypto startups face difficulties in securing stable funding for long-term growth due to the inherent limitations of token-based fundraising. These methods, including ICOs, IDOs, and SAFTs, were instrumental in the industry's early development but have encountered obstacles.

Institutions have yet to fully integrate into the crypto market, presenting difficulties for startups in accessing large capital amounts. Moreover, the extreme price volatility of crypto tokens and the stifling liquidity management burden on startups post-token issuance pose significant challenges. These issues are exacerbated by the ongoing concerns over regulatory uncertainty.

As Web3 companies integrate deeper with traditional financial markets, they are increasingly turning to IPOs as a more viable long-term funding model. This move is pivotal for several reasons. Firstly, IPOs serve as 'regulatory compliance certification marks.' In an age where trust is paramount, companies like Circle have diligently built BitLicense and published reserve reports since 2018 to maintain USDC's credibility. However, without a formal market integration, such efforts may not be fully recognized by institutional investors.

An IPO allows companies to integrate into the SEC's standardized disclosure framework, which in turn allows institutions to easily identify the company's regulatory status. This factor is crucial for large institutions that prefer investing in companies with complete legal compliance.

In the case of Coinbase, it underwent a stringent regulatory preparation process prior to its IPO, which was completed in 2021. After going public, the company expanded rapidly, forging partnerships with institutions like BlackRock for ETF custody services and collaborating with over 150 government institutions. This rapid growth showcases how institutional investors officially acknowledged Coinbase's regulatory compliance efforts through its IPO, granting the company a key competitive advantage in building trust.

Furthermore, IPOs provide a significant avenue for accessing large institutional capital, which is largely unavailable through token-based funding. Traditional financial institutions, pension funds, and mutual funds are typically unable to invest directly in cryptocurrencies due to internal compliance policies. However, they can invest in the stocks of companies listed on regulated securities markets.

To illustrate the potential capital pool at hand, global sovereign wealth funds alone manage an estimated $13 trillion in assets. In comparison, the total market cap of all cryptocurrencies at the time of writing is approximately $1.5 trillion, and the total amount of capital that Web3 companies have raised through tokens and institutions over the past 15 years is estimated at $80 billion. This comparison highlights the vast potential of IPOs for Web3 companies seeking substantial capital injections.

In the case of Korea and Japan, which have strict cryptocurrency investment regulations, IPOs create effective indirect investment routes for institutional investors. For instance, Korean institutional investors are currently unable to invest directly in Bitcoin ETFs or participate in the U.S. capital market in the form of preferred stocks, which are typically invested by private equity firms. Nevertheless, they can invest in companies like Coinbase or MicroStrategy, which are listed on the major U.S. stock exchanges and engage in cryptocurrency-related activities.

Similarly, Japanese investors are currently subject to high cryptocurrency trading taxes, making it difficult for them to invest in this asset class effectively. However, they can gain exposure to the cryptocurrency market through companies like Metaplanet, which are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and generate revenue from blockchain-related businesses. This structure allows Japanese investors to participate in the crypto sector indirectly while benefitting from lower capital gains tax rates on stock investments.

Moreover, IPOs offer a flexible funding instrument for companies' continuous growth. For instance, both Coincheck and Coinbase have successfully used IPOs to raise large sums and are now rapidly expanding their business scope. Following its Nasdaq listing, Coincheck acquired Next Finance Tech, a move that was largely funded by the IPO proceeds. Coinbase has been actively expanding its global competitiveness through acquisitions like FairX, a derivatives exchange, One River Digital for asset management, and BUX Europe for entering the European market.

While the exact contribution of IPO proceeds to these acquisitions is not disclosed, it is evident that they played a substantial role in facilitating these expansion strategies.

Additionally, listed companies can capitalize on their stock for M&A deals, executing them using stock consideration. This approach minimizes the reliance on cash or volatile cryptocurrencies for acquisitions. A listed company can efficiently manage capital and forge strategic partnerships by using its shares as payment in an acquisition.

Furthermore, listed companies can continually access diverse capital market instruments even after their IPOs. They can utilize new share issuances, convertible bonds, and rights offerings to secure more funds as needed. These capital-raising tools are deployed in alignment with the company's long-term growth