CoreWeave IPO: Your Equity, Taxes, and What to Do Next

Picture of Mark Stancato, CFP®, EA, ECA, CRPS®

CoreWeave, the AI-hyperscaler, went public on March 28, 2025, pricing its IPO at $40 per share under ticker CRWV, raising $1.5 billion at a valuation of approximately $19 billion ($23 billion fully diluted).

The debut came after an IPO price range reduction from $47–$55—a signal of recalibrated investor sentiment. The offering included a 5% directed share program for employees, plus a 30-day over-allotment option for underwriters.

This public event marks a pivotal moment: your RSUs convert to actual shares and may be taxable, and your stock options are exercisable under new rules. Let's break down how this affects you—and what to do next.

🧩 What Equity You Likely Hold

1. 🔐 RSUs

  • 4‑year vesting with 1-year cliff and monthly thereafter.
  • Double-trigger: vesting plus liquidity event (IPO) required
  • S‑1 confirms prior settlement of performance‑based RSUs upon IPO

2. 💼 Stock Options (ISOs & NSOs)

  • Early hires may hold ISOs/NSOs.
  • Early exercise has been permitted—starts the QSBS clock and lays groundwork for AMT strategies.

💰 What IPO Means for Your Tax and Liquidity

✅ RSU Settlement & Taxes

  • Vested RSUs will settle based on the $40 IPO price, producing W-2 income.
  • Withholding may lag (~22%), but your marginal tax bracket could be 35–37%—creating a funding gap.

⚠️ Lock-Up & Selling Timeline

  • Standard 180-day lock-up, with possible partial sales afterward.
  • Plan for liquidity needs before the lock-up ends.

🧾 Exercise ISOs Post-IPO

  • Exercising now may expose you to grant–to–FMV AMT and establish long-term capital gains & QSBS eligibility (if held >5 years).

🌟 Strategic Moves for CoreWeave Employees

  • Model Your Tax Outcomes
    Project income from RSUs × $40/share. Build out withholding needs and April tax liquidity.
  • Plan for Lock-Up Restrictions
    Hold enough cash or liquidate post-lock-up to fund taxes—even if the stock sits stagnant early.
  • Leverage the Employee Directed Share Program
    Participate but don’t overcommit. Diversify revenue-driven equity to manage risk.
  • Build Your QSBS & AMT Plan
    Identify early shares acquired pre-funding >$50M. Document timelines and ISO exercise dates to maximize §1202 benefits.
  • Coordinate Tax & Financial Planning
    I help clients integrate stock planning with their tax returns, diversification, charitable giving, and longer-term wealth goals.

❌ Common Employee Pitfalls

Mistake Consequence
Under-withholding Large April tax bills
Overconcentration in CRWV Portfolio volatility
Neglecting QSBS holding period Missed tax savings
Exercising without AMT plan Unnecessary tax burden

🧠 Why Work With Me — A Flat‑Fee Equity + Tax Advisor

  • Expertise in tax-integrated equity planning.
  • Flat-fee model—no AUM fees, no commissions, no conflicts.
  • I handle everything from RSU/ISO modeling to lock-up timing, QSBS eligibility, and full tax prep.
  • I've helped professionals at Palantir, Asana and Braze manage IPO, AMT, and long-term wealth outcomes.

💼 Ready to Build Your CoreWeave Equity Strategy?

If you’re a CoreWeave employee navigating vesting, tax, and sale timing at CRWV post-IPO, let’s connect. We'll build a tactical, tax-smart plan to protect your wealth and optimize outcomes.

📅 Schedule Your Equity Strategy Call

 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Stancato, CFP®, EA, ECA, CRPS®

Mark Stancato, CFP®, EA, ECA, CRPS® has over 20 years of experience advising high-net-worth clients, including tech executives, real estate investors, and entertainment professionals. He specializes in tax strategy, equity compensation, and multi-stream income planning—offering white-glove guidance and highly personalized financial solutions.

Insights Via Email

VIP Financial Insights

Subscribe to our Financial Insights alerts and be notified by email as soon as new articles are published.