** Shares of crypto exchange Coinbase COIN.O and retail trading platform Robinhood HOOD.O, which offers trading in crypto tokens, hit record highs
** U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed bill to create regulatory framework for U.S.-dollar-pegged tokens known as stablecoins, sending bill to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it into law
** Clear regulatory framework for stablecoins would boost confidence in sector and benefit COIN, which sits at center of crypto trading and custody
** Crypto tokens have rallied in recent weeks on hopes that clearer U.S. policy and regulation will unlock fresh demand from institutions and retail investors
** Bitcoin BTC= is up ~39% over past three months, while ether ETH= has gained ~124%
** Total market value of crypto sector is almost $4 trillion, according to CoinGecko data
** Riding broader rally, Coinbase shares have jumped ~74% this year, lifting its market value above $100 billion
** Rival Robinhood's stock has surged ~200% year-to-date, putting it close to $100 billion market cap milestone
** Equities benchmark S&P 500 .SPX up ~7% over same period
(Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru)
((Manya.Saini@thomsonreuters.com))
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