TradFi Takes the Lead: Asset Managers Now Driving Crypto Adoption

馃攧 TradFi flips the script

By Centrifuge
Apr 2, 2026, 4:25 PM
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A notable shift is occurring in the crypto industry's relationship with traditional finance.​ According to Jonathan Casterline from VanEck, a $100B+ asset manager and early Bitcoin ETF issuer, the dynamic has reversed at industry events like the RWA Summit.​

Key observation:

  • Traditional finance leaders are now presenting their active blockchain initiatives, rather than crypto advocates pitching ideas to skeptical institutions
  • This represents a maturation from theoretical discussions to practical implementation

The change signals that major financial institutions have moved beyond exploration and are actively building onchain infrastructure.​ Senior executives from established firms are sharing concrete strategies and deployments, indicating mainstream adoption is underway rather than pending.​

Sources
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