Swedish fintech company Klarna has filed to go public in the United States, marking a major step in its long-awaited push toward a stock market debut. The filing comes as the buy-now, pay-later lender disclosed a $16.5 billion valuation in its latest funding round.

The move revives interest in one of Europe’s best-known financial technology firms, which has spent years navigating a volatile market for consumer credit and shifting investor appetite for growth-focused startups. Klarna’s planned listing will be closely watched as a test of demand for fintech companies in the US market.

The company has built its business around short-term installment payments and e-commerce checkout tools, becoming a prominent name in digital finance. Its public offering could provide a fresh benchmark for private tech valuations after a period of tighter funding conditions.

While the IPO process is still unfolding, the filing signals that Klarna is seeking a broader investor base and a more permanent position in public markets. The outcome may also shape expectations for other fintech firms considering similar moves.