Ark Invest bought nearly 3.3 million shares of SpaceX on the company's first day of trading, a bet worth more than $500 million. The purchase came as SpaceX's stock jumped 20% to close at $160.95 on its IPO day. The move also nudged up Polymarket odds that Bitcoin will hit $68,000.
The size of Ark's bet
Cathie Wood's firm didn't tip-toe into the SpaceX IPO. Ark acquired roughly 3.3 million shares, making it one of the largest single-day buyers on the opening. At the closing price of $160.95, that stake is worth just over $531 million. Ark has been a longtime believer in Elon Musk's rocket company, but this is its biggest public-market position by far.
SpaceX's public debut
SpaceX began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SPCEX. The stock opened at $134.12 and climbed steadily through the session, closing at $160.95 — a 20% gain. The IPO was one of the most anticipated of the year, drawing heavy retail and institutional interest. Ark's purchase came during the first hour of trading, according to sources familiar with the order flow.
Polymarket odds shift
Prediction market Polymarket saw a noticeable uptick in bets on Bitcoin reaching $68,000 after news of Ark's SpaceX buy broke. The probability rose from 42% to 48% within two hours, according to the platform's data. Traders on Polymarket often treat Ark's big moves as a signal for broader risk appetite in crypto and tech.
Ark has not disclosed whether it plans to add to its SpaceX position in the coming days. The stock is expected to face volatility as lock-up periods for early investors expire. On Polymarket, the $68,000 Bitcoin bet remains open — the contract settles at the end of the month.
