Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing challenges in the IPO market, particularly for venture capital exits, and highlights the unexpected rise of micro-cap stocks in the Nasdaq amidst a generally pessimistic market environment [4][6]. Group 1: IPO Market Challenges - Pitchbook's report indicates that the venture capital exit difficulties will persist until at least the first half of 2026, with a lack of suitable IPO windows [4]. - Companies like Klarna and Stubhub have postponed their IPO plans, reflecting the ongoing exit challenges faced by investors [4]. - Affirm, a competitor to Klarna, has seen its stock price drop over 40%, while Stubhub's competitor Vivid Seat's stock has fallen over 70% since its IPO in 2021 [5]. Group 2: Rise of Micro-Cap Stocks - Despite the overall market downturn, micro-cap stocks have experienced a boom, contributing significantly to Nasdaq's IPO activity [6][9]. - Micro-cap stocks are defined as those raising less than $50 million, with Nasdaq completing 75 IPOs by early May, half of which were micro-cap stocks [9]. - The average fundraising size for these micro-cap stocks was $9 million, with over 50 companies from mainland China and Hong Kong participating [9]. Group 3: Notable Performers - Diginex, a blockchain company from Hong Kong, saw its stock price rise over 1300% since its January listing, while EPWK, a crowdsourcing platform, experienced a peak increase of 470% [10]. - Companies like Diginex and EPWK have attracted significant attention, leading to increased investor interest in micro-cap stocks as a means to achieve high returns [13]. Group 4: Market Dynamics and Regulations - The Nasdaq is tightening regulations for companies with stock prices below $1, which could increase the survival difficulty for many micro-cap stocks [16][17]. - New rules require non-profitable companies to raise at least $15 million for IPOs, while profitable companies have a lower threshold of $5 million [17]. - The tightening of regulations indicates a shift towards favoring more established companies, which may further challenge smaller firms in the market [17]. Group 5: Investor Behavior and Sentiment - The rise of micro-cap stocks is partly driven by a wealth effect, as investors seek opportunities to replicate the success of high-performing stocks like Diginex [13]. - The involvement of notable figures, such as members of the Trump family in micro-cap trading, highlights the growing interest and speculative nature of this market segment [13][14]. - The article suggests that the current micro-cap frenzy may not yield long-term winners, as the underlying motivations are often tied to risk aversion and market uncertainty [18].