Entrepreneur Jack Dorsey’s fintech company, Block Inc., will join the S&P 500 index, taking the place of Hess Corp. The change was announced on July 18, 2025, and will go into effect before trading begins on July 23. Following the announcement, Block’s shares (ticker: XYZ) surged 8.5% in premarket trading to $79, according to TradingView . The company’s market capitalization now stands at $44.8 billion. Investors reacted strongly to the news, and analysts expect Block’s inclusion in the S&P 500 will significantly increase demand for its shares among institutional investors. The cryptocurrency community also welcomed the move, viewing it as further evidence of mainstream acceptance of the industry. Block currently holds 8,584 BTC, actively integrates bitcoin into its services, and is pursuing its own bitcoin accumulation strategy, the community noted. “It’s not just a headline. It’s trillions of passive streams gradually approaching bitcoin,” emphasized the Wise Advice account on X (formerly Twitter). Admission to the S&P 500 index is governed by strict financial criteria. Companies must: Record positive net income over the most recent four quarters (on a GAAP basis) Achieve a market capitalization above $18 billion Maintain sufficient liquidity According to many experts, Block has long met these requirements. Matthew Siegel, VanEck’s head of digital research, noted in January 2025 that Block was set to become the first public company with a bitcoin strategy accepted into the index. Analysts also frequently compare Block to Coinbase, which became the first cryptocurrency platform included in the S&P 500 this past May. Following that inclusion, the market speculated on which company would be next. Many expected MicroStrategy, led by Michael Saylor, to follow, but Block was ultimately selected first. Earlier, Block also announced the launch of bitcoin payments within its Square division. The Lightning Network protocol will be used for instant transactions, with a public demonstration taking place at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas. A full rollout is scheduled for 2026.
