The race to acquire blockchain infrastructure is gaining speed, according to Citizens US Bank.
Citizens said it expects the pace of mergers and acquisitions in digital assets to accelerate from here on in a new research report.
Analysts noted that the technical complexity of the digital-asset industry, talent shortages, and strict compliance demands make acquisitions the most practical path for incumbents. Meanwhile, digital-native companies gain scale, customer reach, and regulatory credibility by joining the larger financial network.
MasterCard (MA) is on Advanced conversations To buy zerohash for almost $ 2 billion and the coinbase (coin) is close Similar size deal For London-based BVNK, according to reports, highlighting how traditional and crypto-native companies alike are moving aggressively to secure digital-asset capabilities.
These moves herald a broader shift in strategy as companies increasingly choose to buy rather than build to expand their crypto services, analysts led by Devin Ryan wrote.
Regulatory momentum in the US is also walking in a hurry. In the passage of Genius Actwhich sets the StableCoin rules, and the expectation Enlightenment law In the market structure, citizens said that the political and policy environment has turned from “hostile” to supportive. That shift is accelerating adoption as banks, payment processors, and asset managers seek to integrate blockchain infrastructure.
Tokenization is becoming a key driver of this activity, the report said. The bank projects the market could generate nearly $100 billion in annual revenue by 2030 from services such as trading, custody, and data, as stablecoins and tokenized assets move into mainstream finance.
StableCoin capitalization that has climbed to nearly $315 billionfrom $250 billion at midyear, and is on track to surpass $1 trillion, analysts noted. Competition is intensifying as companies scramble to stay relevant as legacy systems risk being disrupted by faster, cheaper blockchain platforms.
Citizens are said to be early movers with trusted brands and customer reach to benefit the majority, although they should adapt their business models early to full market demand.
With the regulatory picture clearing, customer appetite increasing, and the cost of increasing uncertainty, the bank expects the development of M&A, marking the start of a consolidation cycle that will define the next phase of the digital-asset economy.
Read more: Citizens see ether primed for $10k as supply tightens and institutional demand surges
