Digital‑Asset Adoption Becomes a Core Priority for Finance Leaders, Ripple Survey Shows
March 21 2026
A new survey released by Ripple on Thursday reveals that digital‑asset solutions are moving from the periphery to the centre of strategies employed by banks, asset managers, fintech firms and corporates worldwide. More than a thousand senior finance executives answered a questionnaire that explored current adoption levels, preferred use cases and infrastructure priorities for the next few years.
Key findings
| Area | Insight |
|---|---|
| Market pressure | Over two‑thirds (72 %) of respondents say that offering digital‑asset services is now essential to remain competitive. |
| Stablecoins | 74 % view stablecoins as a means to improve cash‑flow efficiency and unlock capital that is otherwise tied up. |
| Building vs. partnering | Roughly half of fintechs (47 %) intend to develop their own digital‑asset platforms, while only 14 % of corporates share that plan; 74 % of corporates prefer to work with external providers. |
| Custody & tokenisation | 89 % of banks and asset managers evaluating tokenisation partners rate secure storage as a top requirement, with token‑lifecycle management (82 %) and primary distribution (80 %) close behind. |
| Advisory demand | 85 % of banks and 76 % of asset managers consider pre‑issuance structuring support critical. |
| Security standards | 97 % of participants say certifications such as ISO and SOC II are decisive when selecting technology partners. |
Stablecoins emerge as the flagship use case
The survey underscores a growing consensus that stablecoins are more than a novel payment method. Finance executives increasingly see them as Treasury‑management tools that can smooth liquidity, reduce settlement times and provide a bridge between fiat and blockchain‑based assets. This shift is being driven by clearer regulatory guidance, the entry of large banks into the stablecoin space and the proliferation of fintech services that already rely on such tokens for cross‑border transactions.
Fintechs lead the build‑or‑buy decision
Fintech companies appear most eager to construct their own digital‑asset infrastructure, with nearly half planning in‑house solutions. By contrast, traditional corporates are more inclined to outsource, preferring partnerships with established providers rather than developing bespoke platforms. The divergence reflects differing risk appetites and resource allocations: fintechs often have the technical talent and agility to experiment, while corporates prioritize speed to market and regulatory compliance.
Custody and tokenisation take centre stage for banks and asset managers
Tokenisation of assets—whether real‑estate, securities or commodities—remains an attractive prospect, but the survey highlights that secure custody is the foremost concern for institutions evaluating partners. Nearly nine out of ten respondents stress the importance of robust storage mechanisms, underscoring the sector’s sensitivity to hacking, fraud and operational risk. Complementary services such as token‑lifecycle management and primary distribution are also high on the agenda, suggesting that firms are seeking end‑to‑end solutions rather than isolated components.
Implications for the wider ecosystem
- Infrastructure providers will need to double‑down on compliance and security certifications. With almost universal demand for ISO and SOC II attestations, vendors that cannot demonstrate rigorous controls risk being sidelined.
- Strategic partnerships are likely to multiply. As many institutions shift from “whether” to “how” they will engage with digital assets, collaborations between traditional banks, fintechs, and crypto‑native firms are expected to accelerate.
- Regulatory evolution remains a catalyst. Ripple attributes the momentum to clearer rules and heightened interest from major banks, indicating that continued regulatory clarity could further unlock adoption.
- Stablecoin‑centric treasury products may expand. If stablecoins are indeed viewed as liquidity‑optimising tools, we can anticipate a wave of treasury‑management offerings that embed stablecoin collateral, cash‑equivalent yields and programmable settlement features.
Expert commentary
Industry observers note that the ripple effect of the survey is less about introducing digital assets and more about operationalising them. “The conversation has moved past the philosophical ‘should we do crypto?’ to a pragmatic ‘what’s the best way to integrate it into our existing stack?’” said a senior analyst at a global consulting firm who chose to remain anonymous. “Security, regulatory compliance, and seamless user experiences will be the differentiators for the next generation of providers.”
Takeaways
- Digital assets are now a competitive imperative: 72 % of surveyed finance leaders say firms that ignore them will fall behind.
- Stablecoins dominate use‑case priorities: 74 % see them as a cash‑flow enhancer and capital‑release mechanism.
- Fintechs favor in‑house development; corporates lean on partners: 47 % vs. 14 % for building, while 74 % of corporates plan to outsource.
- Security credentials are non‑negotiable: 97 % demand ISO/SOC II certifications from infrastructure vendors.
- Custody and tokenisation infrastructure are top of the agenda for banks and asset managers.
The Ripple survey, titled “First Look at Ripple’s 2026 Digital‑Asset Survey,” provides a snapshot of a sector that is rapidly transitioning from experiment to mainstream. As the financial industry continues to grapple with the challenges of integrating blockchain‑based assets, the data suggests that the focus will now be on building reliable, secure, and compliant ecosystems that can deliver tangible business value.
The full report can be accessed via Ripple’s insights portal.
Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/ripple-survey-72-finance-leaders-digital-assets-key?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound
