SpaceX is going public, and it’s already telling a significant chunk of the world’s investor base to sit this one out.
Banks underwriting the company’s IPO have been instructed not to accept orders from investors in mainland China or Hong Kong. The reason: US regulatory compliance risks tied to export controls on critical technology.
What happened and why it matters
Bloomberg and Reuters confirmed the restrictions on June 5, 2026, just as SpaceX kicked off its IPO roadshow. Users in China and Hong Kong attempting to access SpaceX’s website were greeted with an “Error 1009” message.
The restrictions stem from the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, better known as ITAR. These US rules govern the distribution of sensitive defense and aerospace technology.
