U.S. Banks Anticipate Gradual Then Rapid Shift to Digital Finance, Moody's Reports

According to Moody's, major U.S. banks and financial market intermediaries expect digital finance adoption to follow a two-stage pattern: gradual near-term progress focused on simpler segments like funds and short-term instruments, followed by rapid acceleration once a tipping point is reached. The credit-ratings firm, which consulted with industry leaders, found broad agreement that asset tokenization will occur but uncertainty persists over timing and sequencing.

Almost all large banks and major financial intermediaries have established dedicated digital-asset teams or innovation units and are participating in industry pilots, Moody's said. Banks are positioning themselves strategically to serve clients with digital asset capabilities should adoption accelerate, while initially operating hybrid models blending traditional and tokenized processes. Regulatory clarity and technological maturity are expected to be key catalysts for the transition.