These 3 Companies Are Helping to Take Crypto Mainstream. Which Is the Best Crypto Stock to Buy Right Now?

With the 2026 midterm elections just two months away, it's perhaps no surprise that crypto companies are stepping up their efforts to keep the crypto market top of mind for politicians. Look no further than the estimated $189 million crypto firms have already poured into the midterm elections, in the hopes of shifting the legal and regulatory playing field in their favor.

Everywhere you look, it seems crypto companies are attempting to shift the narrative around crypto, mostly to make this asset class more palatable for both Main Street and Wall Street. Primarily, these efforts focus on the passage of a blockbuster piece of new crypto legislation known as the Clarity Act. So which of these companies -- if any -- should you be investing in?

3 crypto companies to watch

Three of the most important companies leading the charge to take crypto mainstream are Coinbase Global (NASDAQ: COIN), Strategy (NASDAQ: MSTR), and Circle Internet Group (NYSE: CRCL), the issuer of the USDC (CRYPTO: USDC) stablecoin.

Strategy (the company formerly known as MicroStrategy) is important for the way it is shaping the national debate around Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC). As the largest Bitcoin treasury company on the planet, Strategy has a direct stake in the future of the world's most popular cryptocurrency. That's why Strategy led the charge on building the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in 2024, and why Strategy is constantly imploring the U.S. government to step up its Bitcoin-buying efforts.

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Coinbase has played a major role in shaping the debate around the new Clarity Act. At a time when the crypto market is taking a beating, Coinbase has consistently made the case that what is good for crypto is good for America. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has also highlighted the under-appreciated role that crypto has played in bringing financial independence to different parts of the world.

Circle, for its part, has been banging the drum for a new, modernized financial infrastructure powered by stablecoins. To make that happen, the company has taken new steps to sign up financial institutions, banks, and fintech firms for its new Arc blockchain network. Moreover, Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire has regularly emphasized the importance of creating the right regulatory framework for crypto.

Which is the best crypto stock to buy right now?

Of these three, Coinbase is arguably the best crypto stock to buy right now. It is the one company that has taken the biggest steps to grow the crypto pie for everyone. In doing so, it has become more than just a crypto exchange and is now helping to power the back-end financial infrastructure of the crypto market.

At the same time, Coinbase has been an innovation leader as investors look for digital assets beyond just cryptocurrencies. Coinbase's transition from a "crypto exchange" to an "everything exchange" is just getting started, and could really pay off later. While there are potential regulatory risks ahead, Coinbase could be worth a closer look if you're bullish on the future of crypto.

Dominic Basulto has positions in Bitcoin, Circle Internet Group, and USDC. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin. The Motley Fool recommends Coinbase Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.