Wealthfront, a robo-advisory firm, has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in the US.

The company did not disclose the number of shares or the price range for the offering in a statement released on June 23, 2025.

The move comes as fintech IPO activity picks up, following Chime Financial’s US$864 million debut earlier this month.

Other fintech players like Klarna and Plaid are also signaling intentions to go public.

Wealthfront offers automated investment tools and banking services, including high-yield savings accounts.

In 2022, UBS dropped its plan to acquire Wealthfront, which was aimed at attracting high-net-worth clients.

.source-ref{font-size:0.85em;color:#666;display:block;margin-top:1em;}a.ask-tia-citation-link:hover{color:#11628d !important;background:#e9f6f5 !important;border-color:#11628d !important;text-decoration:none !important;}@media only screen and (min-width:768px){a.ask-tia-citation-link{font-size:11px !important;}}

🔗 Source: Bloomberg

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Robo-advisors are gaining momentum in public markets after years of private growth

Wealthfront’s IPO filing comes amid impressive growth metrics that likely attracted public market interest, with the firm’s revenue jumping 117% year-over-year to $184 million in 20231.

The company’s assets under management have grown significantly from $31 billion in 2022 to $55 billion in 2023, demonstrating substantial customer traction1.

This IPO represents part of a broader fintech public offering revival, following Chime Financial’s recent $864 million raise and anticipated offerings from Klarna and Plaid.

Despite this growth, robo-advisors collectively manage between $634 billion and $754 billion, representing just a fraction of the $36.8 trillion US retail investment market, indicating substantial room for continued expansion2.

The sector’s development reflects the broader fintech investment trend, which saw global venture capital funding grow from $1.8 billion in 2011 to $30.8 billion by 20183.

2️⃣ Failed acquisitions can lead to stronger independent growth trajectories

Wealthfront’s path to IPO follows a notable pivot after UBS abandoned its $1.4 billion acquisition of the company in 2022 due to regulatory and shareholder concerns4.

Instead of being absorbed into a traditional financial institution, Wealthfront maintained its independence and subsequently achieved 117% revenue growth and EBITDA profitability15.

The company expanded its product offerings post-acquisition attempt, introducing automated bond portfolios and high-yield cash accounts that contributed to its accelerated growth5.

Wealthfront’s journey from a potential acquisition target to IPO candidate within just two years showcases the rapidly evolving valuations in the fintech sector and the potential benefits of independent growth strategies.

……