Fintech unicorn Nubank expects twin public listings next month, invites app users to become partners

Nubank has revealed expected dates for when it will go public in the U.S. and Brazil as part of its upcoming initial public offering (IPO).

In a Portuguese-language blog post, Nubank said it estimates Dec. 9 and 10 as the dates when its parent Nu Holdings will list on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the São Paulo-based B3 stock exchange. The company announced in late October that it had submitted filings for a proposed IPO.

In the meantime, the fintech unicorn has been inviting its app users to become partners in the company through a program called NuSócios, which centers around securing “a little piece” of Nubank ahead of the IPO.

Brazil-based Nubank customers can now find instructions in their mobile app about how to claim a piece of the company. Some have likened the strategy to the airdrops popular in the crypto world, although Nubank doesn’t appear to be using the term in its own marketing materials.

Through a new program called NuSócios that launched Nov. 9, the fintech is providing Brazilian Depositary Receipts (BDRs) to “millions” of its customers— free of charge. As explained in educational materials on its website, Nubank estimates that each BDR represents one-sixth of a class A common share of its parent company, Nu Holdings. The final value will be determined after the IPO is finalized. 

According to Nu Holdings' U.S. IPO filing, which details the project as part of its Brazilian offering, the company will cap the BDRs to a limit of R$180 million (about $33 million). However, management has the option to increase the cap by 25%, “based on the number of BDRs.” 

The campaign appears to be focused on empowering Nubank users with the message that they can invest and learn about how the stock market works, even without being professional traders. The BDRs are subject to a 12-month vesting period, during which time Nubank is inviting its customers to learn about the stock market and make a decision about whether they want to trade their piece on the B3 exchange.

To show off their new “piece” of Nubank, Instagram users have been using a special filter to pose with a sparkly, purple gem floating above the palm of their hand.