Debevoise Leads Kazakh Fintech Firm’s $1B US IPO

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Debevoise Leads Kazakh Fintech Firms $1B US IPO

In a financial spectacle brimming with anticipation, Kazakhstan’s innovative fintech powerhouse, Kaspi.kz, has embarked on a thrilling journey into the U.S. market, igniting the spark for 2024’s inaugural billion-dollar initial public offering. The legal orchestrators of this groundbreaking move are none other than Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, leading the charge alongside underwriters counsel White & Case LLP.

Unveiling the Fintech Marvel: Debevoise Leads Kazakh Fintech Firm’s $1B US IPO

The Almaty-based fintech titan, Kaspi.kz, unleashed a wave of excitement as it geared up for its momentous U.S. initial public offering, aiming to set the Nasdaq ablaze with the symbol “KSPI.” With an upsized offering of 11.3 million American depositary shares at $92 each, the company surged past initial plans, though slightly below the earlier assumed price of $97 per share.

Navigating the IPO Seas: A Rollercoaster of Valuation

The final IPO price, meticulously crafted, stands approximately 5% below the initial estimate, a strategic move influenced by recent trading activities of global depository receipts on the London Stock Exchange. Noteworthy is Kaspi.kz’s dual presence on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange and the Astana International Exchange.

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Stakeholders on the Stage: CEO Lomtadze, Chairman Kim, and Asia Equity Partners Ltd.

As the curtain rises on this financial extravaganza, it’s vital to note that Kaspi.kz will not be filling its coffers from this IPO. Instead, existing stockholders—CEO Mikhail Lomtadze, Chairman Vyacheslav Kim, and Asia Equity Partners Ltd.—take center stage, offering shares to the eager market.

Super App Unveiled: Kaspi.kz’s Mission to Transform Daily Lives

Positioning itself as a revolutionary “super app,” Kaspi.kz seamlessly integrates financial products, e-commerce, and payment functions into a single, user-friendly application. CEO Lomtadze envisions a global expansion, aiming to serve a staggering 100 million users, a quantum leap from the current 13.5 million predominantly based in Kazakhstan.

2024: A Year of IPO Renaissance

In the wake of a two-year IPO slowdown, Kaspi.kz’s move symbolizes the resurgence of the U.S. IPO pipeline. As financial experts predict a surge in listings due to pent-up demand and expectations of lower interest rates, Kaspi.kz joins the ranks of Smith Douglas Homes Corp., marking the second IPO of the year.

Debevoise Leads Kazakh Fintech Firm’s $1B US IPO: Key Players and Additional Offerings

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. take the lead as underwriters, steering Kaspi.kz through the uncharted waters of the U.S. IPO landscape. Notably, Kaspi.kz’s selling shareholders may amplify their triumph by selling an additional 1.7 million shares within 30 days, potentially boosting their IPO proceeds.

The Legal Maestros: Debevoise & Plimpton and White & Case at the Helm

Drawing back the curtain on the legal prowess steering this financial saga, Debevoise & Plimpton, led by partners Nicholas Pellicani and Alan Kartashkin, spearheads Kaspi.kz’s legal representation. White & Case, under the guidance of partner Darina Kogan-Bellamy and counsel Bree Peterson, navigate the underwriters’ legal landscape.

Debevoise Leads Kazakh Fintech Firm’s $1B US IPO: Kaspi.kz Representatives Muted Amidst the Frenzy

As the financial world buzzes with excitement, representatives for Kaspi.kz remain silent, leaving eager onlookers awaiting a commentary on this historic day.