TLDR:72% of finance leaders say offering digital asset solutions is now essential to stay competitive.74% of respondents believe stablecoins can improve cash-flow efficiency and free trapped working capital.89% of tokenization evaluators rank digital asset custody as their single most important partner factor.97% of finance leaders across all segments say ISO and SOC II security certifications are critically important.Digital assets are reshaping financial services faster than many anticipated. Ripple surveyed over 1,000 finance leaders early in 2026. The study included banks, asset managers, fintechs, and corporates worldwide. Findings show strong consensus around stablecoins, tokenization, and infrastructure choices. Around 72% of respondents believe finance leaders must offer digital asset solutions to stay competitive. The survey reveals a market advancing with greater clarity and intent than previous years.Stablecoins Gain Ground as Treasury Tools While Fintechs Lead AdoptionAmong all digital asset use cases, stablecoins have earned the most confidence. As many as 74% of respondents say stablecoins can boost cash-flow efficiency. They also help unlock trapped working capital for businesses. This points to stablecoins entering the treasury management space, not just payments.Fintechs continue to lead in real-world digital asset adoption across industries. More fintechs report using digital assets in treasury or payment operations than other sectors. About 31% use stablecoins to collect payments on behalf of customers. Another 29% accept stablecoins directly, showing growing operational integration.Building versus partnering also reflects a clear divide between fintechs and corporates. Some 47% of fintechs prefer developing their own digital asset infrastructure. In contrast, only 14% of corporates lean toward an in-house approach. A strong 74% of corporates plan to work with partners offering ready-made solutions.Interest in tokenizing financial assets also continues to grow across banks and asset managers. Most institutions are actively seeking experienced partners to execute tokenization strategies. The results suggest the market is shifting from experimentation toward structured deployment.Custody and Partner Priorities Shape Infrastructure DecisionsSecurity and custody have become top priorities as finance leaders evaluate digital asset partners. Among those assessing tokenization partners, 89% say digital asset storage and custody is a top priority. Token servicing and lifecycle management also rank highly, particularly for banks at 82%. Asset managers, however, place greater weight on primary distribution capabilities at 80%.Banks also show strong demand for advisory support during the implementation phase. About 85% of banks say pre-issuance structuring consultancy is important. That compares to 76% among asset managers. This gap points to banks wanting experienced guidance beyond technology deployment alone.Among respondents exploring stablecoin payments, 57% want integrated custody, orchestration, and compliance services. This preference helps institutions avoid holding stablecoin balances directly. As governance standards tighten, cohesive partner support has become a critical selection factor.Partner preferences also reflect broader concerns across the digital asset space. Regulatory clarity tops the list at 40%, followed by security at 37%. Compliance requirements rank third at 30%, with price volatility cited by 29%. Security certifications such as ISO and SOC II matter to 97% of all respondents surveyed.The post Ripple’s 2026 Survey: 72% of Finance Leaders Say Digital Assets Are Now a Competitive Necessity appeared first on Blockonomi.