According to a report from The New York Times, Discord, the popular chat platform, is reportedly exploring an initial public offering (IPO). Sources indicate that Discord's leadership has been engaging with investment bankers to lay the groundwork for an IPO that could potentially happen as early as this year. At its last valuation in 2021, Discord was estimated to be worth around $15 billion.
In response to inquiries from The New York Times, a Discord spokesperson stated, “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.”
Discord has seen significant growth in popularity, particularly within the gaming community, thanks to its gaming-friendly features and robust moderation and community tools. The platform has been integrated into both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles as a convenient voice chat option during gaming sessions, and has recently added streaming capabilities. Importantly, Discord remains free to use, although it offers various monetized options that unlock a wider range of customizable features.
Despite its success, the news of a potential IPO has sparked concerns among users about the long-term impact on Discord's functionality. On the subreddit r/Discordapp, the top comment on the relevant thread expressed skepticism, stating, "Whelp! It's been fun, but anytime someone decides they want to 'make a public offering' then the company *everything* goes to shit. What's the next communications platform promising to not sell out, like all the others?" Similarly, a post on r/technology lamented, "Rip Discord, brought into the cycle of infinite growth at any cost."
The prospect of an IPO is not entirely surprising, given previous reports. In 2021, it was revealed that Discord was in discussions with at least three companies interested in purchasing it, including Microsoft. However, a month later, it was reported that Discord had chosen to remain independent and pursue an IPO instead.
