Blockchain.com is one of the oldest names in cryptocurrency infrastructure. Founded in 2011, it operates the most widely used Bitcoin wallet in the world and a cryptocurrency exchange. At its peak in 2021, it was valued at $14 billion following a Series C that attracted investors including DST Global.
The 2022 crypto winter was brutal for Blockchain.com. The company had extended credit to Three Arrows Capital, which collapsed in the most spectacular fashion of the 2022 cycle. Hundreds of millions in loans were written off. The IPO plans, which had been advanced, were shelved.
What has changed: the regulatory environment, the Bitcoin price, and the passage of time. Crypto-friendly legislation is advancing in the US. Bitcoin has sustained levels above $80,000. The Three Arrows losses are three years in the past and no longer a live operational risk.
The business case is straightforward. 40 million verified users is a significant distribution asset. The wallet product has genuine utility and persistent usage. The exchange revenue is cyclical but recovers with crypto prices.
The case against: Coinbase and Kraken are better-known exchange competitors. The 2022 credit losses raised governance questions that will require explanation in any S-1. And the $14 billion 2021 valuation may be difficult to sustain in a more sober market.
The FreeMalta read: A 2026 or 2027 listing is plausible if crypto markets hold. The governance narrative around the Three Arrows losses needs to be airtight before any roadshow.