Crypto's having a moment; not just because Bitcoin (BTC-USD, Financial) is up 15% this year — nearly double the S&P 500 — but because of what's happening behind the scenes.
More than 135 public companies now hold bitcoin on their balance sheets; firms like Strategy (MSTR, Financials), Metaplanet, and Twenty One are leading the charge. The question isn't if anymore; it's when, according to Castle CEO Stephen Cole — and that shift is real.
Ether, meanwhile, has underperformed — but analysts think the tide may turn. Spot ETFs, CME futures, and staking features could boost institutional demand; and Ethereum still has strong ties to TradFi.
IPOs tell another story. Circle (CRCL, Financials) went public; Galaxy (GLXY, Financials) and eToro followed; and more crypto firms like Kraken, Gemini, and Consensys may be next.
The takeaway? Crypto isn't fringe anymore; it's building real infrastructure — with Wall Street, Main Street, and Capitol Hill all watching closely.
