Banks and fintech companies accelerate mergers and acquisitions of digital assets, Citizens Bank predicts intensified industry consolidation

ChainCatcher news, according to market news, the latest research report from Citizens Bank in the U.S. shows that merger and acquisition activities in the digital asset industry are accelerating and are expected to speed up further. With the passage of the GENIUS Act (stablecoin regulations) and the anticipated introduction of the CLARITY Act (market structure), the regulatory environment in the U.S. has shifted from "hostile" to supportive, encouraging banks, payment processors, and asset management companies to actively integrate blockchain infrastructure.

The report indicates that Mastercard is in talks to acquire ZeroHash for up to $2 billion, and Coinbase is also nearing completion of a similar-scale acquisition of the London-based company BVNK. The technical complexity, talent shortages, and compliance requirements have made acquisitions the most practical expansion path for traditional institutions. The market capitalization of stablecoins has increased from $250 billion in the middle of the year to approximately $315 billion, and it is expected to exceed $1 trillion. Citizens Bank predicts that by 2030, the tokenized market could generate nearly $100 billion in annual revenue, including trading, custody, and data services.