After rocky week, Coinbase becomes first crypto exchange to join the S&P 500
Los Angeles TimesMonday, May 19, 2025 at 9:28:23 PM
Despite a rough week—marked by a cyberattack disclosure and an ongoing SEC investigation—Coinbase just scored a major legitimacy win by becoming the first crypto exchange added to the S&P 500. It’s a bittersweet milestone: the listing signals Wall Street’s growing acceptance of crypto, but also highlights the regulatory and security headaches the industry can’t seem to shake.
What This Means: Coinbase’s S&P 500 entry is a big deal because it’s a nod from traditional finance that crypto isn’t just a fringe experiment anymore. But the timing is awkward—it’s hard to ignore the irony of a company under regulatory scrutiny and fresh off a cyberattack joining one of the most mainstream stock indices. For investors, it’s a reminder that crypto’s path to maturity is still messy, even as it gains credibility.
— Curated via WP Now’s AI editorial system
