SpaceX has spent nearly 25 years as a private company, but that's about to change. With executives signaling a late 2026 IPO, the internet has moved on to more important matters: What will the ticker symbol be?

The Ticker Symbol Guessing Game

Over on Polymarket, crypto bettors are placing their wagers. Right now, "$X" leads the pack with roughly 23% probability, according to the prediction market's data. That makes sense given Elon Musk's well-documented obsession with the letter X (see: the artist formerly known as Twitter).

But here's where it gets entertaining. The second most popular choice? "$SEX" with 16% odds. That's followed by "$SX" at 13%.

If you think that sounds ridiculous, remember that Tesla Inc. (TSLA) literally named its vehicle lineup to spell "S3XY." The company wanted "Model E" but Ford Motor Company (F) owned that trademark, so Musk settled for "Model 3" instead. When it comes to ticker symbols, betting against Musk's sense of humor might be unwise.

Of course, none of this is official yet. The market won't resolve until SpaceX actually announces its chosen ticker symbol.

The IPO Timeline Takes Shape

Beyond ticker speculation, the numbers suggest this IPO is increasingly likely. Polymarket users are giving the $1.5 trillion-valued aerospace giant an 81% chance of going public in 2026. Meanwhile, on Kalshi (another prediction platform), users see a 57% probability that the IPO announcement comes before August 2026.

For context, Polymarket operates on the Polygon blockchain and lets users bet on real-world outcomes using the USDC stablecoin. The platform previously faced regulatory hurdles in the U.S. but is now making a phased comeback.

What's At Stake

This isn't just another tech IPO. SpaceX executives are currently working on a secondary share sale targeting an $800 billion valuation, but some reports suggest the actual IPO could reach as high as $1.5 trillion. That would make it the largest stock market debut in history.

For Musk personally, the stakes are astronomical. He founded SpaceX back in 2002, and if the company hits that $1.5 trillion valuation, his personal wealth could more than double to approach $1 trillion. That's not a typo.

After nearly a quarter century of staying private, SpaceX appears ready to join the public markets. Now we just need to know whether investors will be buying shares of $X, $SX, or something that definitely wouldn't get past most corporate compliance departments.