TLDR
- S&P Dow Jones Indices launched the S&P Digital Markets 50 Index to provide diversified exposure to digital assets.
- The new index comprises 15 major cryptocurrencies and 35 publicly traded companies with crypto-related activities.
- S&P developed the index in partnership with blockchain firm Dinari to meet rising institutional demand for crypto benchmarks.
- No single asset in the index will represent more than 5 percent of its total weight.
- The index will follow the same quarterly rebalancing and governance process as other S&P indices.
S&P Dow Jones Indices has introduced the S&P Digital Markets 50 Index to provide diversified exposure across the digital asset ecosystem. The new benchmark merges 15 major cryptocurrencies with 35 publicly listed companies tied to blockchain and crypto technology. The launch marks a significant move by S&P to bridge traditional finance with digital markets.
S&P Expands Index Offerings with Crypto 50 Index
S&P created the Crypto 50 Index in collaboration with blockchain firm Dinari to meet rising institutional demand for crypto benchmarks. The index includes both digital coins and equity securities linked to blockchain, mining, and exchange infrastructure. Moreover, S&P stated that the eligible companies represent global participants in crypto-related innovation.
Cameron Drinkwater, Chief Product Officer at S&P Dow Jones Indices, said,
“Cryptocurrencies and the broader digital asset industry have moved from the margins into a more established role in global markets.”
He emphasized that the S&P Crypto 50 Index offers investors transparent, rules-based exposure to the digital asset economy. Consequently, S&P continues to expand its multi-asset framework to meet the evolving preferences of investors.
The S&P Crypto 50 Index imposes a diversification limit, ensuring that no single asset exceeds 5% of the total weighting. Each equity must have a market capitalization of at least $100 million, while each cryptocurrency must have a market capitalization of at least $300 million. The index follows the same quarterly rebalancing and governance structure as other S&P indices, ensuring consistency and transparency.
Dinari Partnership Brings Tokenized Access to the Index
Dinari will introduce an investable token directly tied to the S&P Crypto 50 Index through its dShares platform. This collaboration will tokenize the included equities, allowing fractionalized trading on decentralized blockchains. By year-end, investors will be able to trade the index token securely on Dinari’s regulated platform.
The tokenization model seeks to integrate traditional equities with blockchain-based assets within a unified investment framework. It represents S&P’s first multi-asset index accessible via decentralized networks. Therefore, it expands S&P’s role beyond passive benchmarks into blockchain-integrated financial instruments.
The partnership underscores a growing institutional interest in digital infrastructure and tokenized products. S&P’s move aligns with broader market trends as large asset managers increasingly adopt crypto-linked investment tools. It also indicates that blockchain technology continues to gain recognition in regulated financial environments.
Comparing S&P 500 and Bitcoin Performance
Recent data highlights that Bitcoin has outperformed the S&P 500 since 2020, despite high volatility. While the S&P 500 rose by 106% in U.S. dollar terms, its relative value against Bitcoin dropped by nearly 88%. Phil Rosen, co-founder of Opening Bell Daily, noted this shift in a post on October 5.
However, analysts stress that comparing Bitcoin with the S&P 500 remains imperfect due to structural differences. The S&P 500 tracks 500 large U.S. corporations, offering diversified, lower-risk exposure across industries. In contrast, Bitcoin operates on a decentralized network with a deflationary supply model and higher volatility.
Bitcoin’s market capitalization stands at approximately $2.47 trillion, while the S&P 500 exceeds $56.7 trillion. Despite these differences, the S&P Crypto 50 Index reflects S&P’s acknowledgment of the growing influence of cryptocurrency in global markets.