Coinbase Breaks Ground as First Crypto Firm in S&P 500, Following Deribit Acquisition

Coinbase is set to become the first cryptocurrency-native company to join the S&P 500 index on May 19, 2025—a landmark event in the integration of digital assets into traditional finance. This milestone doesn’t just reflect Coinbase’s individual success; it also serves as a broader signal that Wall Street is warming up to crypto as a legitimate sector of the economy.

Just days before the announcement, Coinbase acquired Deribit, a leading global crypto derivatives exchange, for $2.9 billion. This aggressive expansion into crypto options and futures enhances Coinbase’s infrastructure at a time when institutional interest in derivatives is surging. It also positions the company as a dual-threat: a compliance-forward U.S. exchange and a global derivatives powerhouse. 

Coinbase’s stock has risen by 17.4% and is worth 207.22 USD at the time of writing.

Together, these developments represent more than growth—they mark Coinbase’s evolution from a retail trading app into a diversified financial entity. With the S&P 500 listing, Coinbase gains immediate visibility and legitimacy with institutional investors, while Deribit strengthens its reach in emerging markets and high-volume trading niches.

This convergence of regulatory recognition and strategic acquisition demonstrates a maturing crypto industry. As the first to breach the S&P 500 barrier, Coinbase has effectively redefined what a crypto company can be in the eyes of traditional finance. The question now isn't whether crypto belongs on Wall Street—but how quickly others will follow.