Crypto Adoption Is No Longer Optional, Survey Finds Like 72% of Financial Leaders Sign Commitment
Security certifications are high on the list of concerns of financial institutions weighing tokenization partners, with 97% saying that standards such as ISO and SOC II were non-negotiable – a sign that trust, not just technology, is now driving the financial deals of the crypto institution.
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Stablecoins Lead As Financial Firms Shift Crypto Focus
A new survey from Ripple, released Thursday, found that 72% of more than 1,000 financial industry executives around the world believe their companies must offer digital asset solutions to stay competitive.
Ripple surveyed 1,000+ global financial leaders in 2026. A few highlights:
→ 72% say that digital assets are now a table stake to stay competitive
→ 74% see stablecoins as a cash flow tool, not just a payment train
→ 89% of those surveyed say digital…– Ripple (@Ripple) March 19, 2026
The survey included banks, asset managers, fintechs, and corporate firms in global markets. What stood out wasn’t just the love of digital goods – it was how each type of firm had different plans to get there.
Fintech companies are moving fast and building in-house. About 47% of fintech respondents said they plan to improve their digital assets infrastructure.
Corporate firms take the opposite approach. About three-quarters of them say they intend to work with external suppliers.
Banks and asset managers are looking for something in the middle – experienced partners who can guide strategy while providing expertise.
Stablecoins have attracted strong interest across the board. According to Ripple, 74% of respondents said that stablecoins have the potential to improve cash flow and free up money that might otherwise sit idle.
Ripple said that institutions are not only treating stablecoins as payment instruments, but as instruments for managing wealth transactions.
Child Custody Rises as a Priority
Tokenization is also booming, although institutions are not rushing without protections. Among those evaluating potential token partners, 89% cited secure asset storage as a top requirement. Life cycle management of tokens is up to 82%, and base distribution is set at 80%.
Banks have shown some desire for advisory assistance. Based on survey data, 85% of bank respondents called pre-release structural support important. Asset managers were behind at 76%. Reports show that institutions are not just buying crypto infrastructure – they are looking for guidance on how to use it.
Ripple has provided several forces pushing digital assets up the priority list: changing regulations, growing interest from major banks, widespread use of fintech services, and the continued rise of stablecoins.
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The Build-or-Buy Question Takes Center Stage
The research suggests that the debate within the industry has continued. The question is no longer to get involved with crypto. He is the one to work with and what to build. That change, if accurate, marks a shift in how deeply established financial institutions are managing this space.
Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView
