Coinbase Cracks TIME’s 2025 Elite 100: The Crypto Giant Redefining Finance’s Future

Wall Street's old guard just got a blockchain-powered wake-up call. Coinbase—once the plucky crypto upstart—has bulldozed its way onto TIME's 100 Most Influential Companies list, cementing digital assets' explosive mainstream rise.

How a Crypto Exchange Outmaneuvered Traditional Finance

While legacy banks still debate blockchain integration, Coinbase's user base now rivals traditional brokerages. Its institutional-grade custody solutions have quietly onboarded hedge funds worth a combined $1.2 trillion AUM—proving crypto isn't just for 'degenerates' anymore.

The Regulatory Tightrope Walk

Despite SEC chair Gary Gensler's infamous 'regulation by enforcement' approach, Coinbase's compliance-first strategy paid off. The exchange now holds more FINRA licenses than some bulge bracket banks—a fact that probably keeps Jamie Dimon up at night.

Funny how becoming 'too big to fail' works wonders for regulatory acceptance—just ask the 2008 bailout crew.

“Coinbase led a massive lobbying campaign during that election, helping cement crypto as a voting issue,” the magazine noted, adding, “Now the company is a key driver of the industry’s policy efforts in Washington D.C. If industry-friendly bills are passed, Coinbase stands to become an even bigger hub for U.S. crypto activity.” 

Founded in 2012, Coinbase serves over 100 million users globally while driving innovation in digital finance. However, its rise is not without challenges as various blockchain investigators have accused the platform of failing to address security vulnerabilities, with users reportedly losing hundreds of millions annually to scams. Additionally, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also probed the exchange in a  civil enforcement action, in which Coinbase was given a clean chit.

Despite setbacks, such as a major customer database breach in May–the same month its inclusion in the S&P 500, Coinbase remains a heavyweight in the crypto space. This recognition highlights both its influence and the ongoing regulatory hurdles facing the industry.

Also read: crypto exchange Gemini Launches Tokenized Stocks in EU