SpaceX IPO Is Here: How Indian Investors Can Buy A Piece Of Elon Musk's $1.77 Trillion Dream

Last Updated:June 12, 2026, 16:36 IST

For retail investors in India eager to back Elon Musk's interplanetary vision, navigating the US-centric listing requires a clear understanding of international investing mechanics

Space Exploration Technologies Corp, famously known as SpaceX, has officially launched the largest initial public offering (IPO) in stock market history. Debuting on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol SPCX at a fixed price of $135 per share, the aerospace giant successfully raised $75 billion, propelling its total market valuation to a staggering $1.77 trillion. The historic listing has not only rewritten the rules of corporate finance by eclipsing Saudi Aramco’s 2019 record, but it has also triggered an unprecedented wave of global investor interest.

For retail investors in India eager to back Elon Musk’s interplanetary vision, navigating this US-centric listing requires a clear understanding of international investing mechanics. Because SpaceX is debuting on an American exchange, traditional domestic application routes like ASBA (Application Supported by Blocked Amount) or local broker networks cannot be used. However, Indian residents can absolutely participate in the secondary market trading of SpaceX.

Navigating International Brokerage Platforms

The most direct route for Indian retail investors to purchase SpaceX stock is through an international brokerage account. Over the past few years, the Indian financial technology landscape has evolved significantly, with major domestic platforms partnering with US-licensed custodian brokers to streamline global equity access. Investors can utilise platforms such as Vested, IndMoney, or the international investing segments of mainstream domestic brokerages to place buy orders for US equities.

Alternatively, individuals can set up accounts directly with global institution brokers operating in India, including Interactive Brokers or Charles Schwab. One of the distinct advantages of the US market structure for Indian retail participants is the availability of fractional share investing. Given that a single share of SpaceX debuts at $135, investors do not need to buy whole shares; instead, they can invest fixed rupee amounts to own fractions of a single share, lowering the entry barrier for smaller portfolios.

The Regulatory Framework and Tax Implications

To fund an international brokerage account, Indian residents must comply with the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) strict foreign exchange guidelines. Capital remittance for foreign stock purchases is governed exclusively by the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). Under the existing LRS framework, an Indian individual is permitted to remit up to $250,000 (approximately Rs 2.1 crore) per financial year for foreign investments and expenditures.

Investors must remain highly conscious of local tax regulations when transferring capital overseas. Under Indian tax laws, any foreign remittance under the LRS that exceeds Rs 7 lakh within a single financial year automatically attracts a 20 per cent Tax Collected at Source (TCS). While this TCS is not a direct tax sink—meaning it can be claimed back as a refund or adjusted against overall liabilities during annual income tax filing—it effectively locks up a fifth of an investor’s upfront investment capital for several months.

Indirect Investment via Passive Funds

For those who prefer to bypass the compliance paperwork, banking fees, and TCS implications of direct US stock ownership, passive investing offers a viable alternative. Following intense consultations with global market participants, major international index providers have established fast-track eligibility rules for mega-cap IPOs.

Because SpaceX’s massive valuation qualifies it for swift inclusion into flagship tech benchmarks within just a few weeks of trading, Indian mutual funds that feed into global tech indices or US-centric Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) will naturally begin absorbing the stock. By investing in Indian mutual funds with international mandates, local investors will automatically gain diversified exposure to SpaceX as fund managers rebalance their portfolios to mirror updated global benchmarks.

About the Author

Pathikrit Sen Gupta

Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra...Read More

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