News

Chamath Palihapitiya to launch new SPAC after 71% of 58,000 poll voters said 'no'

Jun 18, 2025

Key Points

  • Chamath Palihapitiya is launching a new SPAC despite 71% of 58,000 followers voting against it in a public poll.
  • Social Capital is pivoting SPAC fundraising toward institutional investors in Wall Street and crypto, away from the retail-driven boom of 2020–2021.
  • Palihapitiya cited institutional interest as sufficient reason to proceed despite clear retail opposition to blank-check companies.

Summary

Chamath Palihapitiya is launching a new SPAC despite 71% of 58,000 followers voting against it in a public poll. He cited interest from Wall Street and crypto investors as the reason to proceed. The move reflects a shift in SPAC demand away from retail investors toward institutional capital. Social Capital continues to see blank-check companies as a viable fundraising channel even as the retail-driven boom of 2020–2021 has faded.