Bullish Shares Surge 200% on NYSE Debut Backed by Thiel and Institutional Investors

Bullish, the cryptocurrency exchange backed by tech investor Peter Thiel, made a striking debut on the New York Stock Exchange on August 14, 2025, with its shares surging over 200% in early trading. The stock, which priced at $37 per share in an upsized IPO offering 30 million shares, closed its first day at $79.69, reflecting an 84% increase from its initial offering price. The IPO raised $1.11 billion, significantly exceeding the company's initial fundraising target [1].

The IPO was supported by prominent institutional investors, including ARK Invest and BlackRock, which signaled robust market confidence in Bullish’s long-term potential [2]. The company’s shares had already shown early momentum, with pre-market trading on August 6 seeing a 152% surge before the full debut [3]. This early enthusiasm demonstrated the growing acceptance of crypto-related assets among both institutional and retail investors.

The success of the IPO highlights a broader shift in the financial industry, as crypto exchanges gain traction in traditional markets. Bullish’s listing is seen as a key milestone, reflecting increasing legitimacy for crypto platforms and signaling a potential integration of digital assets into mainstream financial portfolios [4]. The company’s post-IPO market capitalization was estimated at $9.94 billion, underscoring the market’s belief in its role as a bridge between blockchain technology and regulated trading environments [5].

Analysts have noted the significance of Bullish’s listing in reshaping the perception of crypto exchanges. The IPO's strong performance suggests that Wall Street is beginning to view digital assets as viable investment opportunities rather than speculative ventures [6]. However, some caution that while the IPO was a success, future stock performance will depend on the company's ability to sustain growth, adapt to regulatory changes, and expand its user base.

The volatility observed during Bullish’s first trading day—peaking as high as $118—also highlights the risks and opportunities associated with high-growth IPOs in emerging sectors. Investors remain cautiously optimistic, with many watching closely to see if Bullish can maintain its upward trajectory in the public market. The IPO has set a new benchmark for crypto-related listings and may pave the way for other digital asset firms seeking a foothold in traditional financial systems [7].

Source:

[1] [Crypto exchange Bullish is the latest IPO to explode higher](https://www.businessinsider.com/bullish-ipo-blsh-stock-price-crypto-peter-thiel-nyse-2025-8)

[2] [Bullish IPO Sees 152% Surge with Strategic Moves](https://stockstotrade.com/news/bullish-blsh-news-2025_08_14-2/)

[3] [Bullish (BLSH) Price News: Shares Soar Following IPO](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/08/13/crypto-exchange-bullish-shoots-above-usd100-as-shares-debut-more-than-doubling-ipo-price)

[4] [Bullish’s NYSE Debut Sees Shares Soar by 83%](https://fintechreview.net/bullishs-nyse-debut-sees-shares-soar-by-83/)

[5] [Bullish Surge: Analyzing Stock Market Movements](https://stockstotrade.com/news/bullish-blsh-news-2025_08_14/)

[7] [Bullish stock surges 218% in NYSE debut as crypto enters Wall Street limelight](https://cointelegraph.com/news/bullish-nyse-ipo-crypto-demand)