a16z says blockchain is not a demo—it’s becoming core infrastructure for banks TODAY

Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has released a detailed guide for traditional financial institutions—banks, asset managers, and fintech firms—on how to deploy blockchain technology for real-world infrastructure upgrades. Key use cases include **tokenized deposits**, modern settlement systems, and collateral liquidity—driven by blockchain’s programmability, openness, and global reach. Blockchain is positioned as a next-gen settlement and ownership layer, offering both transparency and automation while preserving regulatory integrity.

Importantly, a16z notes a strategic shift within incumbents: the key question has moved from “if” or “when” to “**how do we practically put blockchain to work now?**” This reflects accelerating adoption pressures, with institutions recognizing blockchain not as speculative hype but as a critical tool for capital efficiency and innovation. The framework outlines both commercial use cases and foundational tech decisions, offering a “zero-to-one” roadmap to transform blockchain from fringe novelty to **core infrastructure** in regulated finance.

By guiding early steps—from system integration to organizational restructuring—this analysis encourages TradFi leaders to lead the transformation, ensuring blockchain becomes a resilient backbone of financial infrastructure rather than just symbolic experimentation.