New York, NY – Klarna, a leading provider of “buy now, pay later” services, commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone for the Swedish fintech company.The initial public offering was priced at $40 per share, resulting in a valuation of approximately $15 billion; however, trading commenced at a higher price of $52 per share.
Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Co-founder and Chief Executive officer of Klarna, described the IPO as a key moment in the company’s journey. “This feels very much like a wedding,” Siemiatkowski conveyed to CNBC on Wednesday. “You prepare for a long time, it’s a big event, but than life continues.”
IPO Follows Company Restructuring
Table of Contents
- 1. IPO Follows Company Restructuring
- 2. Expansion and Future Growth
- 3. Understanding the Buy Now, Pay Later Landscape
- 4. Frequently Asked Questions About Klarna
- 5. How might Klarna’s RTO policy impact its ability to attract and retain Millennial and Gen Z employees?
- 6. Klarna Staff Express RTO Discontent Through Emojis: A Digital Protest
- 7. The rise of Emoji-Based Resistance to RTO
- 8. Why Emojis? the Psychology Behind the Protest
- 9. Klarna’s RTO Policy: A Closer Look
The public offering arrived shortly after Klarna announced a shift in its work policy. Just days prior to the IPO, the company informed its workforce of a new return-to-office policy, mirroring similar decisions made by technology giants like Microsoft and Target. Klarna employees will be required to work from the office three days a week, starting September 29th.
This new requirement was not universally welcomed by Klarna staff. A reported internal communication via Slack,as shared by Business Insider,revealed a mostly negative response from employees,expressed through a variety of emoji reactions. A total of 341 employees reacted with a sad face, while 167 used the “no” emoji.Other emojis included expressions of dismay and humorous responses like the “Homer Simpson backing into a bush” meme.
Despite the mixed reaction to the return-to-office policy, a small contingent of employees voiced support, with 19 thumbs-up and 14 rocket ship emojis recorded.
Expansion and Future Growth
The IPO and the return-to-office policy are unfolding as Klarna actively expands its services and customer base. In June 2025, Klarna launched the “Klarna Card,” a debit card designed to broaden its payment options. Siemiatkowski reported to CNBC that the company has already acquired 700,000 cardholders in the United States, with an additional five million individuals on a waiting list.
did You Know? The “buy now, pay later” sector has seen ample growth in recent years. According to a report by Statista, the transaction value in the BNPL segment is projected to reach $357.90 billion in 2024.
| Metric | Value (September 2025) |
|---|---|
| IPO Price | $40 per share |
| Opening Trade Price | $52 per share |
| Initial Valuation | $15 Billion |
| Klarna Card U.S. Cardholders | 700,000 |
| Klarna Card U.S. Waiting List | 5 Million |
Pro Tip: When evaluating a company’s IPO, consider not only the initial price surge, but also the long-term fundamentals and competitive landscape.
Understanding the Buy Now, Pay Later Landscape
The ‘buy now, pay later’ (BNPL) market has rapidly transformed retail financing, offering consumers an option to traditional credit cards. These services allow customers to split purchases into installments, often without charging interest, making them particularly attractive to younger demographics. Though, rising interest rates and increased regulatory scrutiny are influencing the BNPL sector, requiring companies like Klarna to adapt and innovate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Klarna
- What is Klarna? Klarna is a global fintech company offering “buy now, pay later” services, allowing customers to spread the cost of purchases over time.
- What does Klarna’s IPO mean for consumers? The IPO could provide klarna with more capital for innovation and expansion, potentially leading to improved services for consumers.
- What is the impact of the return-to-office policy? The mandated return to the office may affect employee morale and productivity, potentially influencing the company’s long-term performance.
- How does Klarna make money? Klarna generates revenue through merchant fees, interest on loans, and other financial services.
- What are the risks associated with using BNPL services like Klarna? Consumers should be mindful of potential late fees and the risk of overspending when using BNPL services.
What are your thoughts on Klarna’s IPO and its new return-to-office policy? Do you think these changes will position Klarna for continued success in the competitive fintech market?
How might Klarna’s RTO policy impact its ability to attract and retain Millennial and Gen Z employees?
Klarna Staff Express RTO Discontent Through Emojis: A Digital Protest
The recent shift towards Return-to-Office (RTO) policies has sparked resistance across numerous industries, and Klarna, the Swedish fintech giant known for its “buy now, pay later” services, is no exception. Though, klarna employees are taking a unique approach to voicing their dissatisfaction: through the strategic and creative use of emojis on internal dialog channels. This subtle yet potent form of digital protest highlights a growing trend of employee expression in the evolving workplace landscape.
The rise of Emoji-Based Resistance to RTO
Reports surfaced in September 2025 detailing a surge in specific emoji usage within Klarna’s internal communication platforms following the declaration of stricter RTO guidelines.While the company, a major player in the European payments market (alongside competitors like Alipay and WeChat Pay, popular in China), hasn’t publicly addressed the situation, the internal reaction speaks volumes.
Dominant Emojis: The most frequently used emojis reportedly include the crying face 😭, the pleading face 🙏, the upside-down face 🙃, and the office building 🏢 combined with a red cross ❌.
Channel of Discontent: The emoji-laden responses are primarily observed within the company’s internal Slack channels, specifically those dedicated to announcements regarding workplace policies.
Subtle but Effective: This method of protest allows employees to express their feelings without directly confronting management, potentially mitigating fears of retribution.
Why Emojis? the Psychology Behind the Protest
The choice of emojis isn’t accidental. Experts in workplace communication suggest this method taps into several psychological factors:
Non-Verbal Communication: Emojis act as a form of non-verbal communication, conveying emotion and sentiment in a way that text alone often fails to do.
Reduced Risk: using emojis is perceived as less aggressive than direct criticism, offering a safer outlet for expressing dissent.
Collective Expression: the widespread adoption of specific emojis creates a sense of solidarity and collective frustration among employees.
* Millennial & Gen Z Communication: These generations, heavily represented in the tech workforce, are accustomed to using emojis as a core part of their communication style.
Klarna’s RTO Policy: A Closer Look
Klarna’s move towards increased in-office presence isn’t isolated. Many tech companies, initially embracing remote work during the pandemic, are
