- Klarna, Sweden’s largest Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) company, has filed confidential paperwork for its long-awaited U.S. IPO.
- The IPO, set to be one of Europe’s largest in 2024, will test the viability of the BNPL model.
What happened
Klarna, the Swedish fintech company best known for its Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services, has officially taken the first step toward going public in the U.S. The company filed a confidential registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 12, 2024.
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Klarna, which rose to prominence during a funding boom in 2021, had previously planned an IPO in 2021 but shelved the idea amid market uncertainties. However, the company has now revived these plans despite a sharp decline in its valuation. Klarna’s expected valuation for the IPO is approximately $14 billion, a substantial drop from its 2021 peak valuation of $46 billion.
The filing marks Klarna’s second attempt at an IPO in just three years. It also positions Klarna as the largest Swedish company to float on the U.S. stock exchange since Spotify’s 2018 listing. Klarna has been expanding rapidly in the U.S. market, with sales growing by 38% in the first half of 2024 alone. The company has also focused on cost-cutting measures, including layoffs and the adoption of artificial intelligence to streamline operations and boost profits ahead of the IPO.
Why this is important
Klarna’s IPO is set to be one of the largest in Europe next year, with its valuation expected to rival that of major fintech players like Revolut. This move underscores Klarna’s commitment to expanding its reach in the U.S., where BNPL services have gained increasing traction. The company’s expansion in the U.S. includes partnerships with major brands such as Apple and Staples, and its adoption of artificial intelligence has improved operational efficiency, marking Klarna as a leader in the fintech space.
While Klarna’s valuation has significantly decreased from its highs during the fintech boom, the IPO offers a litmus test for the future of BNPL services. Despite competition from Affirm and other providers, Klarna’s sustained growth and brand recognition in the U.S. suggest that the company may still have a strong future ahead. The success of Klarna’s IPO will likely pave the way for other fintech companies looking to go public and potentially reshape the BNPL sector.
As Klarna seeks to further entrench itself in the U.S. market, its IPO will also help determine the long-term viability of the BNPL model. If Klarna succeeds, it could boost the reputation of BNPL services as a mainstream financial tool, opening the door for further investment in the sector. But if the IPO falters, it could serve as a cautionary tale for the fintech industry, particularly as the global economy faces increasing uncertainty.
