Discord, the popular chat platform beloved by gamers and beyond, is reportedly eyeing an initial public offering (IPO), according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to The New York Times. Recent meetings between Discord leadership and investment bankers suggest preparations are underway for a potential IPO as early as this year. Discord's last valuation, in 2021, pegged its worth at approximately $15 billion.

In response to the reports, a Discord spokesperson offered a standard non-committal statement to The New York Times: “We understand there is a lot of interest around Discord’s future plans, but we do not comment on rumors or speculation. Our focus remains on delivering the best possible experience for our users and building a strong, sustainable business.”

Discord's meteoric rise to prominence, particularly within the gaming community, is undeniable. Its user-friendly interface, robust moderation tools, and extensive gaming-centric features have set it apart from competitors. Integration with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles for seamless voice chat, along with recent additions like streaming capabilities, further solidify its position. Crucially, Discord remains free to use, offering various monetized options for enhanced customization.

However, news of a potential IPO has sparked concern among users. Reddit threads on r/Discordapp and r/technology reflect this apprehension, with comments expressing fears that an IPO could negatively impact Discord's functionality and overall user experience. One highly upvoted comment on r/Discordapp succinctly captured this sentiment: "Whelp! It's been fun, but anytime someone decides they want to 'make a public offering' then the company everything goes to shit. What's the next communications platform promising to not sell out, like all the others?" Similar anxieties were echoed on r/technology, with the sentiment "Rip Discord, brought into the cycle of infinite growth at any cost."

This IPO speculation isn't entirely new. In 2021, reports surfaced of Discord engaging in acquisition talks with at least three companies, including Microsoft. A month later, however, it was reported that Discord had opted to remain independent and pursue an IPO instead.