The US IPO market is entering a transformative period with 2026 projected to be one of the busiest listing years in recent history. Major industry players like SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic are expected to debut, driving index providers to overhaul long-standing rules for inclusion. FTSE Russell has officially proposed a new fast-entry mechanism to accommodate these massive newcomers. Under current rules, initial public offerings are typically added only during quarterly reviews and must meet strict criteria, including a minimum **5%** public float and **5%** public voting rights. The new proposal seeks to relax these thresholds and speed up the timeline. This shift is a direct response to the unique structures of high-valuation firms like SpaceX, which is currently valued at approximately **$1.5 trillion**. A listing of this scale could involve raising up to **$50 billion**, potentially making it the largest IPO in history and surpassing Saudi Aramco's **$29.4 billion** record. Other giants are also moving toward the public stage. OpenAI is reportedly eyeing a late 2026 debut with a valuation near **$500 billion**, while Anthropic is positioned with a valuation of roughly **$374 billion**. These figures dwarf past milestones; for context, OpenAI’s private valuation is more than double the **$236 billion** enterprise value Alibaba held at the time of its 2014 debut. Index providers are racing to ensure these companies are reflected in benchmarks quickly to maintain market accuracy. Nasdaq recently proposed its own fast-entry rule that would allow large companies to join its flagship index after just **15** trading days. FTSE Russell is currently seeking market feedback on its similar proposals through mid-March. The 2025 lead-up has already shown strong momentum. Last year, **342** IPOs raised over **$75 billion**, an **80%** increase in proceeds compared to the prior year. Investors are showing a high appetite for scale, with venture-backed tech IPOs in 2025 delivering average returns of **30%** since pricing. As interest rates continue a measured decline and inflation eases, the backlog of over **800** unicorns is expected to flood the market. The upcoming cycle will likely see a concentration of capital in AI infrastructure and aerospace, fundamentally reshaping the weightings of major global indices.