A recent report from Fireblocks, titled The Financial Grid, highlights a significant gap between budget allocation and operational deployment of digital asset infrastructure. While 81% of corporations have earmarked funds for 2026, only 16% of surveyed institutions have reached live production status.
Financial commitment remains strong, with 88% of all surveyed institutions planning to invest this year, and 11% deferring their plans to 2027. Notably, 53% of these organizations allocate $1 million or more annually to digital asset projects, meeting the threshold for production-scale spending.
The survey indicates that internal issues, rather than regulatory concerns, hinder progress. Skills shortages and core system integration are identified as the primary bottlenecks. Conversely, 96% of respondents anticipate positive outcomes from evolving regulatory frameworks such as MiCA.
Corporations are increasingly active in specific areas, with 11% having launched initiatives involving tokenized instruments. Key investment drivers include the need for 24/7 settlement, real-time payments, and enhanced cross-border capabilities, with 43% of firms citing non-bank competition as a motivator.
