Kyivstar's New York Listing Hopes to Shine Amid Ukraine Peace Talks

Ukrainian mobile operator Kyivstar will list on the Nasdaq in New York today, with the company's CEO Oleksandr Komarov hoping that peace talks to end the war in Ukraine will boost its value. The listing, which has a pro forma valuation of $2.3 billion, has been described as "the people's IPO" and is seen as a way for investors to show support for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction.

Ukrainian mobile operator Kyivstar Group Ltd. is set to make history today as it begins trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbols "KYIV" and "KYIVW." This listing marks the first pure-play Ukrainian investment opportunity on U.S. stock markets and is being hailed as a significant milestone for the country's post-war reconstruction efforts [1].

The business combination between Kyivstar Group Ltd. and Cohen Circle Acquisition Corp. I (NASDAQ: CCIR) has been completed, with the combined company expected to start trading on Nasdaq on August 15, 2025. The transaction secured $178 million in proceeds, with only 25.4% of Cohen Circle's public shareholders exercising their redemption rights [1].

Kyivstar Group Ltd., which serves 23 million mobile and 1.1 million fixed connectivity customers in Ukraine, will be listed with a pro forma valuation of $2.3 billion. The company's CEO, Oleksandr Komarov, expressed his hope that the listing and the accompanying investor support will boost the company's value and contribute to Ukraine's post-war recovery [1].

The listing is being described as "the people's IPO" and is seen as a way for investors to show support for Ukraine's reconstruction efforts. Kyivstar Group Ltd. is not just a mobile operator; it also provides digital healthcare services through Helsi, entertainment streaming through Kyivstar TV, and ride-hailing services via Uklon. Additionally, the company plans to launch Starlink Direct to Cell services commercially in Q4 2025 [1].

VEON (NASDAQ: VEON), the global digital operator and parent company of Kyivstar, holds an 89.6% stake in Kyivstar Group Ltd. post-combination. The company's advisors, including Rothschild & Co, BTIG, LLC, Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Latham & Watkins LLP, Sayenko Kharenko, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, and INTEGRITES, played crucial roles in facilitating this transaction [1].

The listing of Kyivstar Group Ltd. on Nasdaq is a significant development for Ukraine, providing a platform for international investors to support the country's digital infrastructure and reconstruction efforts. As the company continues to grow and expand its services, it is poised to play a pivotal role in Ukraine's economic recovery and technological advancement.

References:
[1] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/CCIRU/ahead-of-its-historic-listing-on-nasdaq-kyivstar-group-completes-be0s6sz8u4kx.html