PayPay valuation could reportedly hit $20bn in upcoming US IPO

Core Viewpoint - Investors are anticipating that PayPay's valuation may exceed Y3 trillion ($20 billion) as SoftBank prepares for a potential IPO in the US, possibly in December [1][2]. Valuation Expectations - A valuation of Y2 trillion is seen as a starting point, with expectations that the final figure could surpass Y3 trillion [2]. - Discussions with institutional investors regarding the IPO valuation began in mid-September, and any decisions will depend on market conditions at the time of the IPO [2]. Growth Potential - PayPay's current valuation estimates are primarily based on its operational growth within Japan [2]. - Investors are also considering the company's potential for international expansion, which could support a higher valuation [3]. - PayPay has announced plans for users to make payments overseas, starting with South Korea [3]. Financial Performance - SoftBank's telecom arm reported a significant increase in operating profit for its financial segment, which includes PayPay, with profits more than doubling to Y18.1 billion in the April-June quarter [4]. - The focus moving forward will be on the realistic potential for overseas expansion, particularly in the US and Asia [4]. Strategic Developments - PayPay is enhancing its cryptocurrency offerings, having acquired a 40% stake in the Japanese operations of Binance, with plans to introduce new cryptocurrency services [4]. - Ownership of PayPay is shared among several SoftBank affiliates, including SoftBank Corp, the Vision Fund, and LY Corp, a joint venture with Naver Corp [5].