Coinbase joins the S&P 500

Coinbase joins the S&P 500

Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States, will officially join the S&P 500 on May 19, 2025, replacing Discover Financial Services. This announcement is more than just financial recognition—it symbolizes the full legitimization of the crypto sector within the traditional financial world. Since its founding in 2012, Coinbase has ridden every Bitcoin bull cycle, but its inclusion in America’s flagship stock index now grants it an unprecedented institutional status.

Coinbase's stock reacted immediately to the news, jumping 24% to $256.90—a significant rebound, though still below its all-time high of $357 in November 2021. This stock surge reflects investor enthusiasm, particularly among institutions, who see Coinbase as a key player in the financial infrastructure of tomorrow. Coinbase’s entry into the S&P 500 could pave the way for other ambitious crypto companies, reinforcing the idea that digital assets are here to stay.

MetaMask may soon have a token

Dan Finlay, co-founder of MetaMask, recently discussed the potential launch of a native token for the world’s most widely used Web3 wallet. While nothing is formally underway yet, his comments have reignited speculation around the long-rumored $MASK token, first hinted at in 2021 by Joseph Lubin, CEO of ConsenSys—MetaMask’s parent company. The initiative would support the project’s decentralization by giving its community a more active role in governance.

Such a token could serve several purposes: governance, funding open-source development, incentivizing usage, or integrating with other DeFi protocols. However, caution is warranted. Finlay emphasized that any official announcements would only come through the MetaMask app to avoid scams, especially fake airdrops and phishing attacks, which already actively target the brand.

There are still many hurdles ahead, especially regulatory ones. The SEC and other U.S. authorities closely monitor projects that issue tokens resembling securities. This scrutiny is one of the reasons ConsenSys has delayed moving forward with the token thus far.

Data breach at Coinbase

Coinbase recently faced a major security crisis: a data breach affecting about 1% of its monthly user base—thousands of accounts. The compromised information includes names, addresses, fragments of Social Security numbers, and banking details. The source of the attack appears to be internal: several customer support employees were reportedly bribed to extract this data, which was then used in an extortion attempt.

The cybercriminals demanded $20 million from Coinbase in exchange for not leaking or exploiting the data. Refusing to negotiate, the company responded firmly by offering an equivalent reward: $20 million to anyone providing information leading to the identification and arrest of those behind the breach. This bold move sends a clear message: no compromises will be tolerated.

Meanwhile, Coinbase announced it will compensate affected users, under strict conditions. The scandal reignites debate over data management in crypto firms, which are often perceived as more vulnerable than traditional banks. It also highlights that threats can originate not just externally, but from internal human weaknesses.

Kidnappings and threats in France

The crypto world in France is going through a disturbing period. In recent months, several kidnapping cases have rocked the ecosystem, prompting authorities to publicly acknowledge the severity of the threat. On May 13, a kidnapping attempt in broad daylight in Paris targeted the family of a crypto platform executive. Three masked men tried to abduct his daughter and grandson. The message is clear: blockchain players have become high-risk targets.

From ransom demands in crypto to targeted extortion, criminal activity is adapting to market changes. In response to the rising danger, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau urgently convened a meeting with key ecosystem figures, including ADAN, sector entrepreneurs, and the heads of major security forces.

Several concrete measures were announced to better protect professionals and their families. Priority access to emergency number 17 will be established for potential victims. Security advisors will be dispatched to audit homes. RAID, GIGN, and BRI units will provide personalized briefings to the most exposed individuals. Additionally, enhanced coordination and police training on blockchain fund tracing are scheduled in the coming weeks. The minister also praised the sector’s maturity, highlighting the importance of the constructive dialogue with Web3 entrepreneurs.

This unprecedented mobilization marks a turning point: the French government now officially recognizes the security of crypto actors as a national concern. As digital asset adoption accelerates, this response aims to send a clear message to criminals—and to reassure the industry.