Ripple President Monica Long has projected that by the end of 2026, approximately half of the Fortune 500 companies will have formalized digital asset strategies. This prediction, made public on January 20, 2026, is grounded in several key trends Long believes will drive institutional adoption of crypto.
Long's forecast centers on four main areas: the integration of stablecoins into global payment systems, increased institutional exposure to crypto assets, the consolidation of custody solutions, and the convergence of blockchain technology with Artificial Intelligence (AI). She envisions stablecoins becoming a foundational element in global payments, rather than just an alternative. Long points to the integration of stablecoin rails by companies like Visa and Stripe as evidence of this shift. Data from Artemis Analytics indicates a significant rise in B2B stablecoin payments, reaching an annualized run-rate of $76 billion last year, a substantial increase from monthly volumes below $100 million in early 2023. Long cites data from JPMorgan showing significant amounts of capital sitting idle on S&P 1500 balance sheets and across Europe, suggesting that stablecoins could offer enhanced real-time liquidity and reduced costs.
Ripple is also playing a role in the stablecoin space with its RLUSD stablecoin and its conditional approval to charter the Ripple National Trust Bank. Long views this as setting a precedent for institutional compliance.
Institutional interest in crypto is already growing. A 2025 Coinbase survey revealed that 60% of Fortune 500 companies are actively involved in blockchain initiatives. Furthermore, over 200 public companies now include Bitcoin in their treasury strategies. Digital asset treasury companies have also increased, with nearly 100 new companies forming in 2025 alone.
The expansion of the ETF market is also contributing to institutional adoption. In 2025, over 40 crypto ETFs were launched, however, they still only represent a small fraction of the total U.S. ETF market. This suggests significant potential for further institutional participation.
Monica Long's predictions align with a broader trend of the cryptocurrency ecosystem transitioning from speculation to institutional-grade infrastructure and regulatory relevance. Favorable legislation, like the GENIUS Act on stablecoins, and the approval of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs have drawn substantial institutional funding and shifted market dynamics.
A recent Coinbase report also highlighted that six out of ten Fortune 500 companies are exploring blockchain solutions. Additionally, more than 80% of surveyed small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) believe that crypto can address financial challenges such as managing invoices and accounts receivable. Of those not yet using crypto, nearly half plan to integrate blockchain technology within three years.
