New Benchmark Bridges Traditional Finance and Digital Assets
S&P Global has unveiled the Digital Markets 50 Index, a new benchmark that tracks the combined performance of leading cryptocurrencies and blockchain-related equities — marking a major milestone in the integration of digital assets into mainstream finance.
The index, created in partnership with tokenization firm Dinari, will include 15 cryptocurrencies with a market capitalization of at least $300 million and 35 publicly traded blockchain companies valued above $100 million.
“The growth of the digital asset ecosystem has moved crypto from the margins into a more established role in global markets,” said Cameron Drinkwater, Chief Product and Operations Officer at S&P Dow Jones Indices.
According to the announcement, no single component will exceed 5% of the index, ensuring balanced exposure across multiple sectors of the digital economy. Among expected inclusions are Strategy (MSTR), Coinbase (COIN), and Riot Platforms (RIOT) — key players in crypto mining, exchanges, and blockchain payment infrastructure.
Index Reflects Expanding Role of Crypto in Global Markets
The S&P Digital Markets 50 Index will serve as a benchmark for investors tracking the digital asset sector’s performance and could become the foundation for future exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and structured financial products.
Indexes like this are critical tools for bridging institutional investors with emerging digital markets, analysts note, as they “quantify and validate” crypto’s market role.
While indexes themselves are not directly investable, they are often mirrored by ETFs — as seen in traditional markets through products like the SPDR S&P 500 ETF, which tracks the S&P 500.
Dinari to Tokenize S&P Digital Markets 50 Index
In a move that further deepens blockchain adoption, Dinari plans to issue a tokenized version of the index, branded as a “dShare.” This tokenized asset will allow investors to gain onchain exposure to the performance of the index through regulated blockchain infrastructure.
The investable version of the index is expected to launch by the end of 2025, positioning it as a bridge between traditional equity benchmarks and tokenized financial instruments.
Tokenization represents the next evolution of capital markets, analysts said, turning traditional benchmarks into programmable, fractional digital assets.
Growing Trend of Crypto Indexing and Tokenization
S&P’s move follows a growing trend among global institutions to integrate crypto performance tracking into regulated financial products. Bitwise, Nasdaq, and Hashdex have all launched crypto index funds aimed at providing diversified exposure to digital assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.
At the same time, tokenization is gaining rapid regulatory interest. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly exploring a framework for tokenized stocks, which would allow traditional securities to trade on blockchain networks — potentially uniting legacy finance and decentralized infrastructure.
Institutional Recognition of Digital Assets Accelerates
With the launch of the S&P Digital Markets 50 Index, the world’s most recognized index provider signals that digital assets have entered the institutional mainstream.
The move underscores a historic shift: crypto is no longer a speculative niche — it’s becoming part of the global market’s core structure.
As the digital and traditional financial systems converge, benchmarks like this are expected to drive new investment products, enhance market transparency, and solidify blockchain’s role in modern capital markets.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.