Discord has confidentially filed for a U.S. initial public offering. The news broke yesterday via Bloomberg, citing sources close to the matter. The company is working with Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan on the process.
For context, Discord started in 2015 as a voice chat tool built specifically for gamers. It grew fast because it offered better quality and easier server setup than alternatives like TeamSpeak or Skype. Today it has over 200 million monthly active users, mostly in gaming but also spreading to other communities.
Back in 2021, Discord was valued at $15 billion in a private funding round and turned down a $10-12 billion buyout offer from Microsoft. Going public now could happen later in 2026 or into 2027, depending on market conditions.
A company spokesperson said they’re still focused on improving the user experience and building a sustainable business. No major changes announced yet.
Potential Upsides for Gamers
An IPO brings in a lot of capital. That money could fund better features we’ve been asking for: deeper integrations with consoles (already solid on Xbox and PlayStation), more reliable voice servers during peak times, expanded in-app activities like watching YouTube or playing mini-games together, or stronger tools for server moderators and esports teams.
Recent updates show they’re investing in gaming, new commerce options for buying digital items in servers, better quests for Nitro users, and safety features for younger players.
The Downsides to Watch
Going public means answering to shareholders who want steady growth and profits. That pressure has changed other platforms over time: more ads in feeds, higher subscription prices, or core features moving behind paywalls.
Nitro is already the main revenue driver alongside some shop sales. Investors might push for faster monetization, which could mean ads in quests, Nitro hikes, or limits on free voice quality. The goal is profitability, and with user numbers already high, growth has to come from spending more per user.
New CEO Humam Sakhnini has experience scaling big monetization at places like Activision Blizzard. Founder Jason Citron stepped down last year but emphasized keeping things user-first.
Bottom Line
We’ll know more when the full public filing comes out with financial details. Until then, Discord remains the default for most gaming groups because it’s reliable and flexible.
This could accelerate improvements or introduce changes we don’t like. Either way, it’s a big step for a platform that’s been central to gaming for years. Speaking of Discords, you should join our community here.