TLDR
- Ripple President Monica Long expects 50% of Fortune 500 to adopt crypto by 2026.
- Stablecoins are predicted to become a global settlement foundation for businesses.
- Capital markets will see 5-10% of settlements move onchain by 2026.
- Custody solutions will drive consolidation in the banking sector by 2026.
Ripple President Monica Long projects that by 2026, nearly half of the Fortune 500 companies will adopt crypto strategies. These companies will integrate digital assets such as tokenized assets, onchain Treasury bills, stablecoins, and programmable financial instruments into their operations. According to Long, the coming years will see the institutionalization of crypto, marking a significant transformation in financial systems globally.
In a recent update, Long explained that 2026 will be a crucial turning point for the crypto industry. This year, she believes, will see a major shift as the broader adoption of crypto becomes more mainstream among institutional players. Companies across industries will look to formalize their crypto strategies, accelerating the move toward the digital financial ecosystem.
Stablecoins to Power Global Settlements
Long highlights the growing role of stablecoins in the financial ecosystem. She believes stablecoins will become the foundation for global settlement, replacing traditional payment rails. Visa, Stripe, and other major companies have already integrated stablecoins into their payment flows, reflecting their growing influence.
B2B adoption will be the driving force behind stablecoins’ expansion. Corporations are expected to use digital dollars for real-time liquidity and better capital efficiency. This adoption is poised to improve financial operations by making transactions quicker and more cost-effective. In the future, businesses will increasingly rely on stablecoins for cross-border settlements, enhancing the speed and reliability of global financial exchanges.
Capital Markets to Embrace Onchain Settlements
Monica Long also predicts that between 5% and 10% of capital market settlements will move onchain by 2026. The shift to onchain settlements will allow for faster, more efficient exchanges of assets and securities. This transition is expected to improve liquidity and reduce the costs typically associated with traditional settlement methods.
Tokenized assets and onchain solutions will provide better collateral mobility, a significant benefit for investors and companies alike. With capital markets adapting to blockchain technology, it will become easier to track and transfer ownership of assets, further integrating crypto into the financial mainstream.
Banks to Strengthen Custody Solutions
In addition to the rise of stablecoins and onchain settlements, Long predicts that the banking sector will experience consolidation driven by custody solutions. By 2026, she expects about half of the top 50 global banks to establish new custody agreements for digital assets. This move is expected to boost institutional participation in crypto markets and provide more security for investors.
The need for reliable custody solutions will become increasingly important as the volume of digital asset transactions grows. This shift in banking strategies reflects the growing institutional trust in the security and potential of blockchain technology. As banks move to provide more custody services, the consolidation of financial services will drive greater stability in the market.
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