Crypto exchange giant Coinbase has been named to TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Companies list for 2025, recognized in the “disruptor” category for its central role in shaping crypto policy and mainstream adoption.
The accolade comes as Coinbase’s stock continues its dramatic ascent. Shares have surged roughly 42% year-to-date, boosted by strong tailwinds from Washington, D.C. After the Senate passed the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act on June 17, Coinbase stock rocketed from around $303 to an intraday high near $382.
TIME’s editors credited the company not only for its market performance but also for its work as crypto’s most visible advocate in the halls of Congress.
“The company, which in May became the first crypto stock to be added to the bellwether S&P 500 index, is a key driver of the industry’s policy efforts in Washington D.C.,” TIME wrote.
“If industry-friendly bills are passed, Coinbase stands to become an even bigger hub for U.S. crypto activity.”
Institutional and Media Momentum Could Signal Prolonged Bull Market
Coinbase’s recognition by TIME—and its remarkable rally—highlight how it has evolved from a pure-play crypto trading platform into a bellwether for the entire digital asset sector.
As the largest U.S.-based exchange, Coinbase functions as a proxy for crypto’s health and maturation in North America. Its inclusion in the S&P 500 marked a milestone in the financial mainstreaming of digital assets, giving traditional investors indirect exposure to the sector.
Analysts say that rising institutional interest, paired with high-profile media visibility, could stoke renewed momentum for Bitcoin and Ethereum as more asset managers and retail investors look to participate.
Some market watchers argue the timing is particularly fortuitous: regulatory clarity is accelerating just as the appetite for diversified digital exposure increases.
Expanding Ambitions: Tokenized Equities and EU Licensing
Coinbase isn’t resting on its laurels. The company has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for approval to offer tokenized equities—a move that would position it in direct competition with platforms like Robinhood and Webull.
If greenlit, Coinbase users could soon trade tokenized shares alongside cryptocurrencies, transforming the exchange into a more diversified financial marketplace.
Meanwhile, Coinbase is rapidly strengthening its footprint overseas. On June 20, the exchange announced it had secured a coveted Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from Luxembourg’s financial regulator. The approval clears Coinbase to provide digital asset services across the European Union, with Luxembourg serving as its EU headquarters.
Even at the highest levels of American politics, Coinbase is emerging as a power player. In June, President Donald Trump addressed the company’s State of Crypto Summit, pledging to craft “clear and simple market frameworks that will allow America to dominate the future of crypto and Bitcoin.”
Quick Facts
- Coinbase stock is up 42% year-to-date and briefly topped $380 after the Senate passed the GENIUS Act.
- TIME Magazine included Coinbase in its 2025 list of the 100 Most Influential Companies.
- The exchange is seeking SEC approval to offer tokenized equities, potentially challenging traditional brokerages.
- Coinbase secured a MiCA license to operate EU-wide and established Luxembourg as its European hub.
