Former FTC Chair Lina Khan Celebrates Figma’s Successful IPO
Lina Khan, former chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is celebrating Figma’s successful initial public offering (IPO) as a vindication of her approach to regulating big tech. The FTC, under Khan’s leadership, had challenged Adobe’s acquisition of Figma in 2023, citing concerns that it could prevent Figma from being an effective competitor to Adobe.
The deal ultimately fell through due to regulatory scrutiny in the US and European markets. However, Figma has since succeeded as a standalone company, sparking praise from Khan who believes that allowing startups like Figma to grow independently can generate significant value.
Khan’s aggressive stance on regulating startup acquisitions was met with criticism from some corners of the tech industry, but she defended her approach by arguing that it would ultimately benefit founders and investors. The success of Figma’s IPO suggests that her approach may have been correct, at least in this case.
While Khan’s critics point out that Figma’s success is due to its innovative growth rather than regulatory scrutiny, Khan is taking credit for the company’s achievement. Her comments mark a significant win for her approach, which prioritizes protecting employees, investors, and innovation.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/02/lina-khan-points-to-figma-ipo-as-vindication-for-ma-scrutiny