Kraken IPO: what employees need to know about RSU and option taxes
RSU settlement
Information regarding RSU settlement at IPO has not been publicly disclosed.
Latest news
Updated Sep 30, 2026
- Kraken Parent Pushes IPO to Q2 2027 at Earliest
Finance Magnates · Sep 3, 2026
Kraken's parent company, Payward, has delayed its potential initial public offering until at least the second quarter of 2027 due to cooling market conditions for crypto-related stocks.
For employees: Employees holding equity will likely face a longer wait for liquidity events such as a public market exit or potential secondary share sales.
- Kraken owner Payward not set for IPO until at least Q2 2027
Crypto Briefing · Sep 2, 2026
Payward has officially pushed back its IPO timeline to 2027, citing a selective investor environment and broader market challenges.
For employees: The delay in the IPO timeline means that stock options and RSUs remain illiquid for a longer period, and the eventual valuation at the time of a public listing remains subject to market volatility.
- Kraken Cuts 150 Workers After Deploying AI; IPO May Slip to 2027
Bloomberg Tax · May 19, 2026
Kraken eliminated approximately 150 positions as part of a cost-cutting initiative driven by increased AI efficiency, which also contributed to the postponement of its IPO plans.
For employees: Employees impacted by the layoffs may face accelerated vesting or forfeiture of unvested equity depending on their separation agreements, while remaining staff may see changes to the company's long-term equity incentive structure.
- Kraken parent Payward cuts 150 staff, streamlining business ahead of planned IPO
CoinDesk · May 14, 2026
Payward reduced its workforce by 150 employees as part of an effort to streamline operations while continuing to pursue a public listing and fresh capital.
For employees: The reduction in force may affect the total pool of equity available for future grants, and the focus on streamlining suggests a shift in how the company manages its valuation and equity compensation.
- Kraken co-CEO confirms IPO filing
Banking Dive · Apr 15, 2026
Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi confirmed that the company has confidentially filed for an IPO, though the company's valuation has faced downward pressure compared to previous estimates.
For employees: The confirmation of a confidential filing provides a clearer path toward potential liquidity, though the reported decline in valuation may impact the strike price of future options or the perceived value of existing equity holdings.
Sources
Details come from public filings and may change. Nothing here is a prediction of price or performance.