Retail traders have made headlines by placing orders exceeding $100 billion for SpaceX shares ahead of the company’s highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO) slated for Friday. This surge in demand could potentially set new records in investor interest, signaling the public’s eagerness to invest in Elon Musk’s aerospace venture.
Prominent institutional investor BlackRock has also entered the fray, reportedly placing a significant order of at least $5 billion in SpaceX shares. Prior to this, individual investors had already made requests totaling more than $70 billion, illustrating a remarkable appetite for the stock. For context, BlackRock’s order alone nearly rivals the entire $5.5 billion raised by AI chipmaker Cerebras in its recent IPO, which stands as the largest offering of 2026 thus far.
As the company prepares to finalize its IPO price on Thursday, indications suggest that SpaceX intends to maintain its set figure of $135 per share. This price point aligns with the massive $75 billion the company aims to raise, which would give it a staggering valuation of approximately $1.77 trillion.
However, this meteoric rise has caught the attention of regulators and lawmakers. Senator Elizabeth Warren has called for a delay in SpaceX’s IPO. In a detailed letter to SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins, she expressed concerns about various facets of the company, including its valuation, governance structure, and protections for investors. Warren highlighted Musk’s overwhelming control over voting shares—amounting to 85%—which she argues could severely limit investor rights. Analysts have echoed this sentiment, pointing out that the structural setup essentially sidelines shareholders from exerting meaningful influence over the company.
Given the unprecedented demand for the IPO, reports indicate that SpaceX has attracted around $250 billion in total investor interest, nearly quadrupling its planned offering. The company first signaled its intention to go public in an SEC filing earlier this year, outlining a strategy to sell about 555.6 million shares at the aforementioned price.
SpaceX’s extensive market ambitions span various sectors, including satellite broadband, digital advertising, and artificial intelligence. The total addressable market was estimated at $28.5 trillion, further fueling investor enthusiasm.
As the IPO day approaches, online brokerages are gearing up to facilitate retail participation. Companies like Charles Schwab, Fidelity, Robinhood, SoFi Technologies, and E*Trade are making shares available to investors. Fidelity has notably reduced its minimum investment threshold from $100,000 to just $2,000, while other brokers have removed minimum requirements altogether.
Despite the mounting excitement, concerns about overvaluation persist among financial analysts. Some, like those from Morningstar, have projected a more realistic trading price of $63 per share, citing a disconnect between hype and fundamental financial indicators. Notably, Musk’s substantial stake in SpaceX could position him to become a trillionaire if shares trade at the projected price, potentially amplifying his wealth significantly.
In the lead-up to the IPO, analysts are cautioning investors to remain vigilant, noting that the excitement surrounding Musk can lead to increased volatility in the stock market. The situation warrants careful observation as the trading debut inches closer, raising questions about the potential impact on both institutional and retail investors alike.
