Discord, the widely used gaming communication platform, is reportedly engaged in discussions with banks regarding a potential initial public offering (IPO), as per multiple sources familiar with the situation.
“We understand there is a lot of interest around Discord’s future plans, but we do not comment on rumors or speculation. Our focus remains on delivering the best possible experience for our users and building a strong, sustainable business,” said a spokesperson for Discord to the New York Times.
This development may indicate a revival in the U.S. IPO market, which has experienced sluggishness in recent years due to economic uncertainties.
Established in 2015, Discord has evolved into a significant platform with over 200 million monthly active users, facilitating voice, video, and text communication. Although the company contemplated going public in 2021, when it was valued at around $15 billion at the time, its plans were postponed due to unfavorable market conditions.
In contrast to major social media platforms such as Meta, X, and Reddit, Discord has primarily steered clear of advertising, opting instead to monetize through premium features.
After the news broke, many users started worrying that Discord going public might shift its focus toward profits rather than user experience. This has sparked concerns about possible aggressive monetization, the introduction of ads, or even changes to how servers function.