Goldman Sachs-backed Blockdaemon eyes 2026 IPO as blockchain adoption grows in APAC

Goldman Sachs-backed blockchain infrastructure provider Blockdaemon is reportedly considering a public listing in 2026.

The company, valued at approximately $3.3 billion, is closely monitoring market conditions, particularly in the US and Asia-Pacific (APAC) regions, before making a final decision on its Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Blockdaemon’s plans come as blockchain technology gains traction globally, especially among institutional clients and smaller enterprises in the APAC region.

Blockdaemon’s 2026 IPO plans

Blockdaemon, founded in 2017, has emerged as a key player in the blockchain infrastructure space, serving over 400 institutional clients, including major names like OneDegree and CoinShares.

With backing from industry giants like Goldman Sachs, SoftBank, and Kraken, the company has grown rapidly and is now exploring a potential IPO in 2026.

According to Blockdaemon CEO Konstantin Richter, the company will assess market conditions in 2025 before finalizing any plans.

He told Bloomberg that Hong Kong presents a more favorable regulatory environment for a public listing compared to the US, where crypto regulations remain uncertain.

However, Richter believes that the US regulatory landscape could improve after the November elections, regardless of the outcome, possibly influencing their final decision on where to list.

Blockdaemon IPO: blockchain demand in APAC grows

As the demand for blockchain infrastructure grows in the Asia-Pacific region, experts believe that the technology is poised to expand beyond large institutions and into the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector.

Andrew Vranjes, Blockdaemon’s head of international operations, noted that blockchain’s scalability and maturity will soon make it accessible to SMEs, especially those involved in critical supply chains across APAC.

“The adoption of blockchain solutions is no longer limited to large corporations,” Vranjes told Cointelegraph.

“As the technology evolves, we expect to see smaller businesses across APAC benefiting from blockchain’s ability to streamline operations and enhance transparency.”

Regulatory support in Singapore and Japan

Countries like Singapore and Japan have been proactive in embracing blockchain technology, providing regulatory clarity and fostering innovation in the fintech and Web3 spaces.

Singapore, known for its forward-thinking approach, was recently ranked the top country for crypto adoption in a study by Henley & Partners.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has been a leader in supporting fintech advancements through regulatory sandboxes and blockchain initiatives.

Japan has also taken significant steps to support its local blockchain and Web3 industries.

The Japanese government has introduced tax reforms to attract startups and developers, turning Japan into a global hub for blockchain innovation.

While blockchain technology is gaining ground, institutional adoption still faces several challenges.

Vranjes pointed out that one of the major obstacles is the lack of uniform global regulations surrounding digital assets, tokenization, and smart contracts.

Different countries, even within the same region, often have conflicting regulatory frameworks, making cross-border blockchain solutions more complex.

Additionally, unclear tax regulations for cryptocurrencies and digital assets pose hurdles for institutions looking to adopt blockchain solutions.

Reporting capital gains, trading profits, and other taxable events involving digital assets remains a gray area in many jurisdictions, further complicating adoption efforts.

Blockdaemon’s expansion plans in APAC

Despite regulatory challenges, Blockdaemon sees APAC as a key growth market.

The company has plans to double its team in the region within the next year, though specific numbers have not been disclosed.

However, despite Hong Kong’s appeal for crypto-related listings, many startups in the region still face difficulties in opening bank accounts due to stringent regulations.

Local Web3 firms have called for improvements to the regulatory environment to make it easier for foreign companies to establish a presence in Hong Kong.

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