SEOUL/SINGAPORE, June 10 - SK Hynix is preparing to list American depositary receipts (ADRs) in the United States possibly as soon as August, according to two people briefed on the matter. The move is intended to capitalise on robust investor demand for companies tied to artificial intelligence and to draw a wider base of investors.
One of the sources said the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is likely to approve SK Hynix's ADR listing application during the week of June 22. Both individuals requested anonymity because the information has not been made public.
In a corporate statement, SK Hynix confirmed it "plans to issue ADRs within 2026, but the details, including the size and timing, have not yet been decided." The company also noted that it filed confidentially for a U.S. listing in March.
At the time of that confidential filing, a source said the transaction could raise up to $14 billion. The precise amount the offering might generate has not been finalised publicly, and SK Hynix's statement reiterates that sizing and timing remain subject to decision.
SK Hynix is the world's second-largest producer of memory chips and is a significant supplier to Nvidia for high-bandwidth memory products used in AI servers. The firm's close ties to AI infrastructure demand have been a major factor in its recent equity performance. Its share price has climbed by 240% so far this year, and its market capitalisation topped $1 trillion in May, making it the third Asian company to reach that level after two other regional firms.
Market commentary cited last week indicated that SK Hynix had received "tremendously positive" feedback on the U.S. listing plan, with observers highlighting both strong AI-driven demand and the company's competitive standing within the memory-chip industry.
An August listing in New York would arrive amid what is expected to be an active second half for U.S. equity markets. Investors are monitoring a number of high-profile, AI-related listings and state-side initial public offerings that are shaping market attention in the months ahead.
Several uncertainties remain publicly unresolved: the exact timing and size of any ADR issuance, the final decision timeline, and the SEC's formal approval process. SK Hynix's public comments affirm the company's intention to pursue ADR issuance within the calendar year, but they do not specify firm dates or deal parameters.
Contextual note for investors: SK Hynix's candidacy for a U.S. ADR listing is framed by its leadership position in memory chips critical to AI server workloads, its recent share performance, and reported investor enthusiasm for AI-linked equities. The company's statements highlight intent rather than fixed commitments on the timing and scale of a potential U.S. offering.