Users in mainland China and Hong Kong were unable to access SpaceX’s website and initial public offering marketing documents on Friday, raising questions over investor access to one of the most closely watched listings in global markets.
The SpaceX website and IPO materials were inaccessible in both markets, even as users in most major Asian markets could access the documents. The timing is significant because SpaceX had just started marketing roadshows in New York on Thursday, with the IPO papers posted on the company’s website for prospective investors.
The issue could limit participation from investors in China and Hong Kong, especially as IPO marketing documents are commonly used by institutional and retail investors to review a company’s business, financial profile, and investment prospects before making decisions.
Error message points to possible regional restriction
Reuters reported that users attempting to open the SpaceX website and IPO marketing materials in mainland China and Hong Kong saw an “Error 1009” message.
Web security provider Cloudflare said the most common reason for that error is that a website owner “has banned” access from the country or region linked to the user’s IP address. Francis Fong, honorary president of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, also told Reuters that such a block is usually a company decision.
Fong added that while Hong Kong users have been unable to access some U.S. government websites in recent years, similar cases involving major companies are rare.
SpaceX seeks record-breaking IPO
The access issue comes as Elon Musk’s SpaceX is aiming to raise $75 billion through its IPO, which Reuters said would be the largest globally. The deal would value the company at $1.75 trillion, immediately placing SpaceX among the 10 most valuable U.S.-listed companies.
If completed at that valuation, the listing could become the first U.S. market debut above $1 trillion.
US News also reported that the IPO has drawn global interest, reflecting investor demand for exposure to SpaceX’s businesses across rockets, satellites, and artificial intelligence.
The roadshow presentation showed that several major financial institutions are involved in the offering. Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Morgan Stanley are among the lead banks, while Japan’s Mizuho and Australia’s Macquarie Capital are also involved in managing the IPO in Asia Pacific.
China ties add political sensitivity
The development also comes against a complex political backdrop. Musk remains a well-known business figure in China, where Tesla has built a strong presence in the electric vehicle market.
At the same time, SpaceX has faced scrutiny in the United States over alleged Chinese investment links. In February, two Democratic U.S. senators urged the Pentagon to conduct an immediate review of SpaceX, citing accusations that Chinese investors had secretly acquired stakes in the closely held rocket maker and warning of potential national security risks.
With SpaceX seeking one of the biggest public listings in history, any restriction affecting access to IPO documents in major financial markets such as Hong Kong may draw closer attention from investors, regulators, and policymakers.
For now, the reason behind the access restriction remains unclear. But the timing of the issue, coming just as SpaceX begins marketing a record-setting IPO, adds another layer of scrutiny to a listing already carrying global financial and geopolitical weight.
