Coinbase Named a “Disruptor” in TIME’s 100 Most Influential Companies List as Stock Soars and Regulatory Wins Mount
In a year where crypto has reentered the spotlight, Coinbase is proving it’s not just surviving—it’s leading the charge.
TIME Magazine just named the U.S.-based crypto exchange to its prestigious 100 Most Influential Companies list for 2025, calling it a “disruptor” in global finance. And honestly, it’s easy to see why.
Coinbase isn’t just making headlines—it’s making history. The company became the first crypto stock to join the S&P 500 in May, and since then, its share price has gone on a tear, rising approximately 42% year-to-date.
Much of that rally came after the U.S. Senate passed the GENIUS stablecoin bill on June 17, a regulatory breakthrough that lit a fire under investor sentiment. The stock surged from around $303 to a local high of $382 before cooling slightly to $353 by week’s end.
Coinbase’s stock performance over the last year (Source: Yahoo Finance)
TIME praised Coinbase for being one of the most vocal and active policy advocates in crypto throughout 2024, and that reputation seems to be paying off. The company has emerged as a key player in shaping crypto legislation in Washington D.C.—a role that positions it to benefit immensely if industry-friendly rules continue gaining traction.
“If industry-friendly bills are passed,” TIME wrote, “Coinbase stands to become an even bigger hub for US crypto activity.”
Coinbase’s Global Push and New Revenue Frontiers
But it’s not just about the U.S. market. The exchange is spreading its wings globally. On June 20, it secured a regulatory license in Luxembourg under the EU’s new MiCA framework, allowing it to operate across Europe. It’s also reportedly seeking SEC approval to offer tokenized stocks on its platform—a move that would pit it directly against traditional brokerages like Robinhood and WeBull.
In other words, Coinbase isn’t just building a crypto empire—it’s aiming to reshape how people trade and invest altogether.
Trump, Stablecoins, and the Bigger Picture
Coinbase’s political influence was on full display when President Donald Trump addressed the company’s State of Crypto Summit in June, pledging to roll out a “clear and simple” regulatory framework for crypto under his administration. Whether that happens or not remains to be seen, but the optics are clear: Coinbase has a seat at the table where big crypto decisions are being made.
Meanwhile, Washington’s regulatory progress—especially around the GENIUS Act, the U.S.’s first serious attempt at stablecoin legislation—is already shifting how investors evaluate crypto companies. For instance, Coinbase earns significant revenue from stablecoins like USDC, which it shares with Circle. Analysts say nearly 99% of Circle’s revenue flows from USDC yields—much of which Coinbase benefits from without added cost to shareholders.
A Bright Spot in a Choppy Market
Despite the rally, trading volume on the exchange has actually been drifting lower since April. That might sound like a contradiction, but it suggests investors are now looking beyond trading fees and focusing on the company’s broader business model—especially its stablecoin revenue and international growth.
Coinbase’s rise also comes amid a broader upswing for markets. The S&P 500 gained roughly 5% in June as geopolitical tensions eased, but Coinbase still outpaced them all, marking its best month since November.
If momentum continues—regulatory clarity, global expansion, and tokenized equities becoming a real offering—Coinbase could cement itself not just as a disruptor, but as one of the few legacy-grade players in an industry still defining itself.
