S&P Unveils Digital Markets 50 Index Tracking Cryptos and Blockchain Stocks

S&P is once again reshaping how traditional finance views the digital economy. The company’s latest move—the launch of the S&P Digital Markets 50 Index—marks a major step toward integrating cryptocurrencies and blockchain-linked stocks into global financial benchmarks. By tracking both digital assets and public companies tied to blockchain innovation, the index indicates that crypto has firmly moved from the margins into the mainstream.

A New Benchmark for a New Era

The new S&P Digital Markets 50 Index, developed in partnership with the tokenisation platform Dinari, brings together 15 cryptocurrencies with a market capitalisation exceeding $300 million and 35 publicly listed blockchain companies valued at over $100 million. Notably, no single asset will make up more than 5% of the index, ensuring balanced representation across the sector.

Among the potential heavyweights are MicroStrategy (MSTR), known for its vast Bitcoin holdings; Coinbase (COIN), a leading cryptocurrency exchange; and Riot Platforms (RIOT), one of the industry’s major Bitcoin miners. This diverse mix reflects how digital assets are increasingly influencing traditional capital markets and corporate strategies alike.

Crypto Moves from Fringe to Framework

According to Cameron Drinkwater, chief product and operations officer at S&P Dow Jones Indices, the expansion of the digital asset ecosystem has shifted crypto “from the margins into a more established role in global markets.” While investors cannot directly purchase the index itself, it serves as a benchmark for performance tracking—a foundational tool for creating future exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and similar investment vehicles.

Dinari plans to take this a step further by issuing a tokenized version of the index, known as a “dShare.” This digital representation would allow investors to gain direct exposure to the index through blockchain technology. The investable version is expected to go live by the end of 2025, potentially bridging the gap between traditional finance and digital asset markets.

Indexing Signals the Next Wave of Crypto Recognition

S&P’s entry into crypto indexing could pave the way for a new generation of passive investment products, similar to how the SPDR S&P 500 ETF mirrors the performance of the S&P 500. A future ETF tracking the Digital Markets 50 Index could allow institutional and retail investors alike to access a diversified basket of digital assets with the simplicity of traditional fund investing.

This approach isn’t entirely new—funds like the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index Fund (BITW) and Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index ETFs already track leading digital assets. However, S&P’s participation brings unparalleled credibility and visibility, reinforcing the legitimacy of crypto-based investment frameworks.

Tokenization: The Bridge Between TradFi and DeFi

Beyond indexing, the move reflects a broader trend toward tokenization, the process of representing traditional assets as digital tokens on blockchain networks. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly exploring how tokenized securities could trade on regulated exchanges, a development that could blur the lines between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi).

As blockchain technology gains regulatory attention and institutional acceptance, initiatives like the S&P Digital Markets 50 Index highlight the growing fusion of old and new finance. The index not only measures market performance—it symbolizes how far digital assets have come from their speculative beginnings to becoming recognized components of the global financial system.

In essence, S&P’s latest index doesn’t just track the market—it defines its direction, marking a new chapter where digital and traditional markets increasingly move in sync.

Make money without lifting your fingers: Start using a world-class auto trading solution