Community bankers are interested in tokenized deposits, stablecoins, but not rushed
The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) 2026 community bank survey reveals a measured interest in the adoption of tokenized deposits and stablecoins among smaller financial institutions. Data indicates that approximately 20% of community banks intend to offer tokenized deposits and 17% plan to provide stablecoins within the next 12 months. While these figures represent a notable interest in blockchain-based assets, they remain significantly lower than the adoption rates for artificial intelligence, which currently sees 61.8% of banks piloting or utilizing the technology. Over a five-year horizon, interest in tokenized assets grows only marginally, reaching 23% for deposits and 21% for stablecoins. A critical finding from the survey is that banks prefer to access stablecoin services through existing core service providers rather than direct partnerships with blockchain networks. This preference highlights a strategic reliance on established infrastructure to mitigate risks associated with new financial technologies. The findings underscore that while community banks are exploring RWA tokenization, they are prioritizing integration through familiar channels rather than aggressive, independent adoption.