Gemini Charges Toward Wall Street: IPO Filed, Ticker GEMI Locked In – Here’s What You Need to Know
Wall Street's crypto reckoning just got real. Gemini – the exchange that survived the 2022 bloodbath – just dropped its S-1. No more whispers. No more maybes. The Winklevoss twins are going public.
The GEMI Era Begins
Forget 'crypto winter' – this is Gemini's IPO spring. The filing reveals everything from revenue streams to regulatory chess moves. No numbers yet (typical finance tease), but the ticker's set: GEMI will soon flash across Nasdaq screens.
Why This Matters
This isn't just another exchange listing. It's institutional validation wrapped in a compliance bow. After the SEC's 2023 crackdown, Gemini's playing the long game – and betting big that Wall Street's finally ready to swallow crypto whole.
One hedge fund manager yawns: 'Great, another speculative asset for our compliance team to reject.' Meanwhile, the crypto faithful are already stacking GEMI memecoins.
Gemini To Use Share Proceeds To Settle Debt To Galaxy, Others
In documents dated August 15, Gemini filed to list company shares on the Nasdaq exchange under the ticker GEMI. This development comes two months after the crypto exchange initially announced plans for an IPO. Notably, the IPO price was excluded from this application, which included the proposed stock structure and plans for share net profits. The Gemini S-1 document stated plans to offer only shares of their Common Class A Stock on the Nasdaq exchange. For context, Gemini will issue two types of common stock after the IPO, i.e., Class A and Class B. Holders of Class A shares will be granted one vote per share, giving them a standard say in company decisions. By contrast, each Class B share will carry ten votes, providing its holders with significantly greater influence over corporate matters than those holding Class A stock. In this case, all new investors are expected to receive Class A shares and will collectively control only a limited percentage of Gemini’s total voting power. Meanwhile, co-founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, along with their affiliates, will own all of the Class B stock, allowing the twins to retain majority control of the exchange. Upon receiving the net proceeds from the IPO, following expenses such as underwriting discounts and commissions, Gemini intends to use the funds primarily for general corporate purposes such as funding day-to-day operations, investing in new technology, etc. In addition to supporting operations and growth, Gemini also stated it may use part of the proceeds to repay existing debt obligations. These include loans under the Galaxy Lending Agreement and the Master Repurchase Agreement with NYDIG Funding LLC. Notably, the lead underwriters for the Gemini planned IPO are Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, who are responsible for coordinating the deal, setting the price range, and ensuring supply matches demand. Alongside them are other reputable investment firms such as Morgan Stanley, Cantor Fitzgerald, Evercore ISI, Mizuho Securities, etc.
US Crypto Train Forges On
In addition to Gemini, other crypto-focused firms seeking to go public include the exchange BitGo, and digital asset investment firm Grayscale. This wave of applications, among other factors, including the Bitcoin Reserve and recent stablecoin regulation, underlines the growing pro-crypto environment in the US.
According to data from Tradingview, the total crypto market is valued at $3.93 trillion, reflecting a 0.47% gain in the past day.