By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
United States, 12 June 2026 - SpaceX has been listed on the US stock exchange in what is now being described as the largest initial public offering (IPO) in history, marking a defining moment for both the global space industry and the fast-expanding artificial intelligence investment boom.
The company has reportedly raised about $75 billion, surpassing the previous IPO record held by Saudi Aramco, which raised $25.6 billion in 2019. The listing places SpaceX at the centre of investor attention as demand for exposure to AI-linked and space infrastructure firms accelerates globally.
If share sales reach or exceed the company’s indicative price of $135 per share, founder Elon Musk could become the world’s first trillionaire, a milestone that has intensified global scrutiny of the IPO.
Elon Musk controls more than 80% of SpaceX, which builds rockets and space infrastructure used by NASA. The company also has linkages with Musk’s wider technology ecosystem, including artificial intelligence firm xAI and satellite internet service Starlink.
SpaceX’s listing on the Nasdaq is being viewed as a major test case for how markets will value artificial intelligence-linked companies going public, particularly as investor enthusiasm collides with growing concerns over inflated valuations.
Market watchers note that SpaceX is the first of three major AI-related listings expected this year, with OpenAI and Anthropic also reportedly preparing for potential market debuts. The surge in capital flowing into AI firms, many of which remain loss-making, has raised fears of a speculative bubble.
The Bank of England has previously warned of a potential sharp correction in AI-linked valuations, while JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has cautioned that some of the investments in the sector will probably be lost.
Despite these concerns, investor appetite remains strong, driven by expectations that AI and space technologies could reshape global industries and generate long-term returns.
According to forecasted market expectations, SpaceX shares are projected to begin trading at around $171 per share, significantly higher than the IPO price of $135. This would imply a market valuation of approximately $2.2 trillion, placing the company among the most valuable corporations globally.
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The surge in anticipated valuation reflects intense demand for exposure to what investors see as frontier technologies, particularly the intersection of AI, space exploration, and satellite communications.
However, it's important to be cautious because such rapid valuation growth also increases exposure to volatility, especially if revenue growth fails to match investor expectations.
The broader concern remains whether the current AI-driven rally reflects sustainable fundamentals or early signs of an overheated market cycle.
Still, the listing underscores a structural shift in global capital markets, where technology firms are increasingly defined not just by current earnings, but by projected dominance in future AI-driven economies.
If valuations hold, Musk’s stake alone could push his net worth beyond historical thresholds, positioning him as a potential first trillionaire in modern financial history, a milestone that would further blur the line between technological influence and global economic power.