Palmer Luckey’s Erebor Bank Hits $4.35bn Valuation After $350m Raise

Author: Cryptonews AU

Source: Cryptonews AU

2025/12/23 11:12

BANK$0.05073+9.71%

4$0.0228+14.28%

STARTUP$0.0003088-6.84%

Palmer Luckey and Joe Lonsdale’s banking startup, Erebor, raised $350 million at a $4.35 billion valuation to serve the “innovation economy”.
The FDIC recently approved the bank’s deposit insurance application, a critical regulatory milestone following its preliminary national charter approval in October.
Expected to launch in 2026, the digital-only bank will offer traditional services alongside crypto products, stablecoin infrastructure, and lending against digital assets.

Erebor, a banking startup co-founded by Anduril CEO Palmer Luckey, has raised US$350 million (AU$535.5 million) at a US$4.35 billion (AU$6.65 billion) valuation, Axios reported Monday.

According to the report, the funding follows a key regulatory step. Axios said the FDIC approved Erebor’s deposit insurance application last week, a requirement for a new national bank to take insured deposits under US banking rules.

Read more: Brazil’s Crypto Market Grows Up: Investment Volumes Jump 43% in 2025

No Special Treatment For Erebor

Axios reported Lux Capital led the round, citing anonymous sources. Erebor’s existing backers include Founders Fund, 8VC, and Haun Ventures.

Erebor was founded in 2025 by Luckey and Joe Lonsdale, with backing from Peter Thiel-linked investors. The company name references a mountain from The Lord of the Rings, according to Axios.

In its banking application, Erebor said it plans to offer traditional banking as well as crypto-related products and services. It said it is targeting firms in the U.S. “innovation economy,” including companies focused on virtual currencies, AI, defense, and manufacturing, plus payment providers, investment funds, and trading firms.

Axios said Erebor will likely launch next year. The Financial Times reported in October that Erebor’s application did not receive “special treatment” from the Trump administration, despite the founders’ and backers’ political ties. But that should be normal by now. Even the Cardano co-founder said Trump’s involvement in crypto has created “political and reputational risks” that the industry has been unwilling to confront.

Related: JPMorgan: Stablecoin Boom Tied to Crypto Reality, Not Trillion-Dollar Dreams

The post Palmer Luckey’s Erebor Bank Hits $4.35bn Valuation After $350m Raise appeared first on Crypto News Australia.

Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact service@support.mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.