Digital Finance Will Evolve Into 'Foundational Infrastructure Layer' in 2026: Moody's

Digital finance is set to transition into a foundational infrastructure layer in 2026, according to Moody's. This shift reflects the growing integration of tokenized money, stablecoins, and real-world asset representations in blockchain-based systems. Financial institutions and infrastructure providers are accelerating the development of scalable platforms to support these innovations.

The rise of tokenized deposits and regulated stablecoins is particularly notable. Barclays has taken a stake in Ubyx, a U.S. startup developing clearing systems for tokenized money, while J.P. Morgan and Digital Asset plan to bring JPM Coin natively to the Canton Network. These developments aim to enable seamless, real-time financial transactions across institutional markets.

In parallel, the adoption of tokenized real-world assets is gaining traction. Infinant has launched a platform to support tokenized deposits and stablecoins, while companies like Bitget have surpassed $1 billion in tokenized stock trading. This trend underscores the convergence of traditional financial markets and on-chain infrastructure, offering faster and more transparent access to global equities and commodities.

Why Is This Shift Happening Now?

Several factors are driving the rapid evolution of digital finance. First, regulatory clarity is reducing barriers to entry for traditional financial institutions. The passage of stablecoin legislation and the rollback of restrictive custody rules have made it easier for banks to engage with digital assets. In addition, new digital-asset bank charters are being issued, further normalizing the inclusion of blockchain-based infrastructure in institutional finance.

Second, infrastructure has matured to support large-scale tokenized transactions. For example, Broadridge's Distributed Ledger Repo platform processed nearly $9 trillion in December 2025, demonstrating the scalability of tokenized settlement systems. These platforms are reducing operational friction and enabling faster collateral mobility in global capital markets.

How Are Market Participants Responding?

Institutions are expanding their exposure to digital assets, particularly in tokenized equity and stablecoin products. AIxCrypto, for instance, has committed to a $10 million purchase of Faraday Future stock to develop its first tokenized equity product. This move highlights the potential for traditional equity markets to be reimagined through blockchain-based structures, offering liquidity and accessibility to a broader set of investors.

Regulatory and institutional players are also advancing interoperable digital asset frameworks. Ledgible has partnered with Ownera to deliver institutional-grade tax and accounting reporting for tokenized assets. This collaboration is critical for scaling digital asset adoption, as it enables financial institutions to meet compliance requirements while participating in tokenized markets.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are closely monitoring the adoption of tokenized money and its impact on capital markets. The integration of JPM Coin on the Canton Network is seen as a key milestone in regulated, interoperable digital cash. This development could enable institutions to issue, transfer, and redeem tokens in real-time, further bridging traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure.

Another key focus area is the role of energy in supporting AI-driven digital finance growth. India's Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the importance of energy infrastructure in the country's five-layer AI architecture, including nuclear energy as a clean and reliable power source. As AI applications grow by nearly 33%, energy availability will be critical to maintaining performance and reliability.

In the U.S., market structure legislation is also expected to be a major catalyst. Goldman Sachs has highlighted that regulatory clarity will be the top driver of institutional crypto adoption in the next 12 months. If a bipartisan crypto market structure bill becomes law, it could significantly accelerate the integration of digital assets into mainstream finance.