Crypto Firms Are Embracing Wall Street Models for Greater Legitimacy

In 2025, crypto firms are increasingly adopting Wall Street practices, enhancing credibility and investor trust. Institutional interest has surged thanks to regulated investment products like BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust. Regulatory shifts by the SEC facilitate banks offering crypto custody. Major crypto players, including Kraken and Crypto.com, are expanding services to attract traditional investors. Political developments also support this convergence, signalling a maturation of the cryptocurrency landscape.

In 2025, the cryptocurrency sector is increasingly mirroring traditional Wall Street practices. This significant shift aims to improve the industry’s credibility, inspire institutional investment, and ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines. By adopting the standards and trust typically found in traditional finance, crypto firms are paving the way for broader acceptance within the financial ecosystem.

As crypto platforms bridge the chasm between themselves and established financial institutions—often termed TradFi—the transformation is becoming more apparent. Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget, highlighted this growing collaboration, noting that crypto platforms are now launching investment products like ETFs to appeal to a wider audience. It’s thus about more than just innovative products; it’s an invitation to operate under Wall Street-level regulatory discipline to foster investor trust.

The interest from institutions in cryptocurrency has significantly intensified with the creation of regulated investment vehicles. A case in point is BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which has managed to amass over $18 billion in assets—this is a clear indicator of strong institutional demand. The regulatory landscape is also evolving. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has altered its stance, no longer blocking banks from holding digital assets, enabling traditional entities to provide crypto custody services without repercussions.

These regulatory developments have prompted cryptocurrency firms to align more closely with Wall Street’s operational models. This approach prioritizes compliance while complementing established financial products aimed at traditional institutions, ultimately creating a more secure marketplace for all participants.

Several crypto companies are taking strategic steps to reflect this trend. Kraken announced in March 2025 that it would acquire Ninja Trader, a retail futures-trading platform, for $1.5 billion, signalling a desire to expand its offerings and attract a diverse array of investors. Similarly, Crypto.com is diversifying by integrating stock and ETF trading. This strategic pivot is attractive to investors seeking an all-in-one platform for both crypto and standard assets.

Upexi, a firm based in Tampa, also made headlines with a 335% increase in stock value thanks to plans to raise $100 million to establish a Solana token treasury. This mirrors MicroStrategy’s approach to Bitcoin, suggesting a growing trend among companies to incorporate crypto into their financial strategies.

Political factors are playing a crucial role in this evolving landscape. The Trump administration’s push towards a more crypto-friendly regulatory framework has significantly improved market confidence. Changes in SEC guidance and the appointment of officials who support cryptocurrency regulation have further encouraged traditional institutions and crypto enterprises to collaborate, making the divide between the two increasingly negligible.

The ongoing adoption of Wall Street models by crypto firms indicates a strategic transition designed to enhance legitimacy, attract institutional investments, and ensure alignment with regulatory frameworks. This trend marks an important phase in the evolution of the cryptocurrency sector, positioning it for sustained expansion and integration within the traditional financial sphere.