Security certifications topped the list of concerns for financial institutions weighing tokenization partners, with 97% saying standards like ISO and SOC II are non-negotiable – a sign that trust, and not just technology, is now driving deals in institutional crypto finance.
Related reading
Stablecoins lead as financial companies shift their crypto focus
A new one questionnaire Ripple research released Thursday shows that 72% of more than 1,000 global financial industry executives believe their companies must offer digital asset solutions to stay competitive.
Ripple surveyed more than 1,000 global financial leaders in 2026. A few things stood out: https://t.co/414dTO9Qit
→ 72% say digital assets are now an important factor in staying competitive
→ 74% see stablecoins as a cash flow instrument and not just as a means of payment
→ 89% of respondents say digital…— Ripple (@Ripple) March 19, 2026
The poll covered banks, asset managers, fintechs and companies in global markets. What stood out was not just the demand for digital assets, but how each type of company plans to get there.
Fintech companies are developing rapidly and building in-house. About 47% of fintech respondents said they plan to develop their own digital asset infrastructure.
Companies are taking the opposite approach. Nearly three-quarters of them said they plan to work with third-party service providers.
Banks and asset managers are looking for something in between: experienced partners who can drive the strategy and deliver the technology at the same time.
Stablecoins attracted the greatest interest across the board. According to Ripple74% of respondents said stablecoins have the potential to improve cash flow and free up capital that would otherwise remain idle.
Ripple said institutions handle stable coins not only as payment instruments, but also as tools for managing treasury transactions.
Preservation becomes a key priority
Tokenization is also gaining ground, although institutions do not rush in without safeguards. Of those who rated potential tokenization partners, 89% cited secure asset storage as a top requirement. Token lifecycle management was 82% and primary distribution was 80%.
Banks showed a particular need for advisory assistance. Based on survey data, 85% of bank respondents cited pre-issuance structuring support as important. Asset managers lagged behind at 76%. Reports show that institutions aren’t just buying cryptocurrency infrastructure – they want guidance on how to use it.
Ripple cited several forces that have moved digital assets up the priority list: changing regulations, growing interest from major banks, wider use of fintech services and the continued rise of stablecoins.
Related reading
The ‘build-or-buy’ question is central
The research shows that the internal debate in the sector has continued to develop. The question is no longer whether you should get involved with crypto. It’s about who to work with and what to build. This shift, if accurate, marks a turning point in how established financial institutions are taking this space seriously.
Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView