Discord, the popular messaging platform with over 200 million monthly users, has reportedly begun exploring the possibility of going public. Reports suggest that the company has started initial conversations with investment banks, though plans are still in their early stages and could change.
This move isn’t entirely unexpected, given Discord’s past interest in public markets. In 2021, the San Francisco-based company rejected a $10 billion acquisition offer from Microsoft, opting to remain independent. Around the same time, Discord raised $500 million in funding, boosting its valuation to $14.7 billion.
Originally designed for gamers, Discord’s appeal has expanded to various communities, including tech enthusiasts and professionals. The platform has also become a popular choice for AI-based projects, with image-generation tools like Midjourney operating on its servers. Additionally, some businesses have shifted from Slack to Discord, favoring its robust free features.
Despite its growth, Discord faces challenges in cybersecurity. The platform has seen a rise in malware attacks and credential theft. In response, Discord has introduced measures such as end-to-end encryption for calls and enhanced security features to protect its users.