Fireblocks: 88% of financial institutions budget for digital asset infrastructure in 2026

Financial institutions are budgeting for digital asset infrastructure faster than they are putting it into production, according to Fireblocks’ Financial Grid report. The survey found that 88% had committed or expected to commit budget in 2026. Another 11% expected to defer spending until 2027.

The report draws on research conducted in January 2026 with 638 decision-makers at financial institutions and corporations. Its 88% budget figure is stated for financial institutions. The report does not establish the previously reported claim that 81% of corporates committed budget, nor a 90% budget figure for transaction banks.

Budget commitments and live systems

Among institutions that had sized their investment, 53% planned to spend at least $1 million on digital asset infrastructure. That is a share of respondents with sized investments, not of all corporations or of all survey participants. Fireblocks said 16% of financial institutions had reached production across its issuer and user measures. These figures describe survey responses and investment plans, not confirmed spending or proof that every budgeted project will launch.

Fireblocks also found that 96% of financial institutions expected upcoming digital asset regulation to be favorable or very favorable, and 43% identified non-bank competition as a critical investment driver. Skills gaps were reported as a blocking obstacle by 42% of financial institutions. These responses show what institutions said was influencing their plans; they do not establish that regulation or competition caused any individual firm’s spending.

Payments are a priority

The report’s downloadable version lists cross-border payments and foreign exchange as a priority use case for 81% of respondents. That 81% measures interest in a use case, not a corporate budget commitment. Fireblocks says global and regional transaction banks both prioritize cross-border payments and settlement, while the broader build also includes custody and tokenized assets.