Bitcoin has surged 111% over the past 12 months, making it one of the top-performing assets despite recent market corrections. While many investors are eager to tap into this growth, not everyone is comfortable buying and holding crypto directly—especially newcomers wary of volatility, security risks, or regulatory barriers. In some regions, even spot Bitcoin ETFs remain inaccessible due to local laws.
So how can traditional stock market investors gain exposure to the booming digital asset ecosystem without touching a single private key? The answer lies in cryptocurrency-related stocks.
These equities offer a bridge between conventional finance and the fast-evolving blockchain world. By investing in companies deeply involved in crypto mining, exchanges, or financial infrastructure, you can indirectly benefit from rising Bitcoin prices while staying within the regulated stock market environment.
This article explores what crypto-linked stocks are, how they correlate with cryptocurrency markets, their performance trends, and five leading public companies worth watching. Whether you're new to digital assets or already hold crypto, understanding these investment vehicles could help you build a more resilient and diversified portfolio.
What Are Cryptocurrency-Related Stocks?
Cryptocurrency-related stocks refer to publicly traded companies whose core operations are tied to the digital asset ecosystem. These firms generate revenue from activities such as Bitcoin mining, crypto exchange services, blockchain technology development, or digital asset investment management.
Because their business success often depends on the health of the crypto market, their stock prices tend to move in tandem with major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum—though not always perfectly aligned.
The main categories include:
🔹 Crypto Mining Companies
These firms operate large-scale data centers filled with specialized hardware (ASICs) to mine Bitcoin. Their profitability hinges on Bitcoin’s price, mining difficulty, and energy costs.
Examples: Marathon Digital (MARA), Riot Platforms (RIOT), CleanSpark (CLSK), Hut 8 (HUT)
🔹 Publicly Listed Crypto Exchanges
These are the corporate entities behind major cryptocurrency trading platforms. As trading volume rises during bull markets, so does their revenue and user growth.
Examples: Coinbase (COIN), Robinhood (HOOT)
🔹 Digital Asset Investment Firms
Some companies have adopted Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset or manage investment products focused on blockchain innovation.
Example: MicroStrategy (MSTR)
Advantages of Investing in Crypto-Related Stocks
✅ Lower Security and Custody Risks
Holding crypto directly requires managing wallets, seed phrases, and exchange risks. With stocks, you avoid self-custody challenges and reduce exposure to hacks, scams, or regulatory crackdowns on unlicensed platforms.
Publicly listed firms are subject to financial reporting standards and governance rules, offering greater transparency than many decentralized projects.
✅ Reduced Volatility Compared to Cryptocurrencies
While these stocks can be volatile, they generally don’t swing 20% in a single day like some altcoins. Their price movements are smoothed by broader market sentiment, earnings reports, and institutional ownership patterns—making them more suitable for long-term investors.
Drawbacks to Consider
❌ Limited Upside During Major Rallies
Crypto stocks often lag behind direct crypto gains. For example, if Bitcoin surges 15% in a day, Coinbase or Marathon may only rise 5–8%. This is because stock valuations reflect future earnings expectations—not just spot price movements.
Additionally, stock markets trade only during set hours, missing out on after-hours crypto rallies.
❌ Fees and Management Costs
Investing through ETFs or mutual funds that hold crypto-related stocks may incur management fees (typically 0.4%–2%). While traditional brokers charge commissions, these are usually lower than ongoing expense ratios.
Direct crypto holders pay network fees (gas), but those are transaction-based rather than recurring.
Top 5 Cryptocurrency-Linked Stocks to Watch in 2025
1. Coinbase (COIN)
Founded in 2012, Coinbase is one of the most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges globally. It supports over 250 digital assets and offers services including custody solutions, a self-custody wallet, a Visa debit card, and its own Layer 2 blockchain called Base, which has become one of the most active Ethereum rollups.
COIN stock has tripled in value within six months, peaking near $280 after bottoming at $82 during the last market low. Its price closely follows Bitcoin’s trajectory, making it a strong proxy for crypto market sentiment.
2. MicroStrategy (MSTR)
Originally a business intelligence software company, MicroStrategy made headlines in 2020 when it began aggressively acquiring Bitcoin as a corporate treasury asset—the first major U.S. public company to do so.
Today, it holds approximately 214,400 BTC, valued at around $13.6 billion, with an average purchase price near $35,000. Despite mixed quarterly earnings in early 2024, MSTR shares have more than tripled thanks to Bitcoin’s rally—while short sellers lost over $1.9 billion betting against it.
3. Block (SQ)
Formerly Square, Block was co-founded by Jack Dorsey, a well-known Bitcoin advocate. Its popular mobile app Cash App allows users to buy, sell, send, and receive Bitcoin easily.
As of late 2023, Block held about 8,038 BTC, worth roughly $340 million at current prices. The company benefits both from transaction fees and appreciation in Bitcoin’s value. Over the past six months, SQ stock has nearly doubled.
Block also supports decentralized finance (DeFi) innovation through its open-source development arm.
4. Robinhood (HOOT)
Known for popularizing commission-free trading, Robinhood expanded into crypto in 2018 and now offers Bitcoin and Ethereum trading to millions of users. It gained fame during the "meme stock" surge and GameStop short squeeze.
In recent quarters, both user growth and profitability have improved significantly. HOOT stock has more than doubled over the past year amid increased crypto trading activity.
5. Marathon Digital (MARA)
A pure-play Bitcoin miner, Marathon Digital operates large-scale mining facilities across North America. It aims to become one of the largest BTC producers in the region.
Like other miners, MARA’s revenue depends heavily on BTC’s price and mining difficulty—especially around events like the halving. The stock rose from around $8.80 in late 2023 to a high near $30 before settling around $16. Even at current levels, it's up over 100% in half a year.
However, miners face additional risks: energy costs, hardware obsolescence, and shifting regulations.
Do Cryptocurrencies Move With the Stock Market?
Not consistently. While Bitcoin and major indices like the S&P 500 sometimes move in sync—especially during macroeconomic shocks—they often diverge. Historical data shows fluctuating correlation levels:
- At times, Bitcoin acts as a risk-on asset, moving with tech stocks.
- At others, it behaves like digital gold, decoupling from equities during inflation spikes or geopolitical stress.
Short-term correlations (e.g., 30-day Pearson coefficient) vary widely, indicating no fixed relationship.
How to Analyze Crypto-Linked Stocks
Use financial research tools like TipRanks to compare blockchain-related stocks based on analyst ratings, price targets, revenue growth, and correlation with Bitcoin. Key metrics include:
- Revenue exposure to crypto activities
- BTC holdings on balance sheet
- Earnings volatility
- Regulatory compliance status
- Hash rate (for miners)
👉 Access advanced analytics tools used by pros—track real-time crypto equity performance now.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I gain exposure to Bitcoin without buying it directly?
A: Yes—by investing in companies like Coinbase, MicroStrategy, or Bitcoin miners such as Marathon Digital, you can benefit from rising BTC prices indirectly through regulated stock markets.
Q: Are crypto stocks safer than holding cryptocurrency?
A: Generally yes. Stocks are regulated, audited, and don’t require self-custody. However, they come with market risk and may underperform during rapid crypto rallies.
Q: How closely do crypto stocks follow Bitcoin’s price?
A: There's a positive correlation, but it's imperfect. Stocks react slower due to trading hours and earnings factors. They rarely match crypto’s full upside or downside swings.
Q: Which crypto stock has performed best recently?
A: MicroStrategy (MSTR) and Coinbase (COIN) have led gains, both tripling from their lows amid strong institutional demand and spot ETF approvals.
Q: What risks do crypto mining stocks face?
A: Miners contend with fluctuating electricity costs, hardware depreciation, regulatory scrutiny, and declining block rewards after halvings—all of which impact profitability.
Q: Can I invest in these stocks from outside the U.S.?
A: Yes—many international brokers provide access to U.S.-listed equities like COIN, MSTR, and MARA. Check local regulations before investing.
By blending traditional investing safety with exposure to digital asset growth, cryptocurrency-related stocks offer a compelling middle ground for cautious yet forward-thinking investors.