More than 50% of Fortune 100 companies report blockchain initiatives, Coinbase finds

It looks like the crypto space might be bigger than the exchanges, DeFi projects, and trading firms that typically make news headlines. 

As per a new report conducted by crypto exchange Coinbase, more than 50% of Fortune 100 companies have had crypto projects in the works at varying stages of development since the beginning of 2020. Currently about 60% of Fortune 100 projects have been underway since the start of 2022.

Titled The State of Crypto: Corporate Adoption, the new report revealed 52% of Fortune 100 companies are investing in crypto or blockchain initiatives since the start of 2020. As of Q2 2023, 70% of Fortune 100 companies with crypto initiatives were in the publicly launched stage, the highest level since Q1 2020.

Third party research firm The Block Research conducted the survey behind the report’s results. 

“These companies are innovating and investing in these technologies because they know that the century-old global financial system needs updating, that blockchain can be a foundational solution, and that not keeping pace will mean losing ground in this global economy to competitors around the world, among other possible reasons,” Coinbase noted. 

Still, regulatory uncertainty and the lack of clear rules for crypto and blockchain tech remain significant barriers to adoption, with 87% of surveyed executives indicating clear rules are vital for sustaining US leadership in the global financial system.

“The US is at risk of losing out on 1 million web3 developer jobs and 3 million related non-technical jobs to other countries between now and 2030 if it continues on its current path of regulation by enforcement,” the report claimed.

A key finding of the report was that since 2017, Fortune 100 companies have made 109 private venture capital investments in 80 crypto blockchain startups, contributing to rounds worth over $8bn. The report added that Citi Ventures, Google Ventures, Microsoft Ventures, and Goldman Sachs have made as many crypto private investments as all other Fortune 100 companies combined, and a survey of Fortune 500 executives revealed that they expect an average web3 initiative budget of nearly $5.8m for 2023, with a notable increase in investment in these technologies expected over the next two years.

Corporations exploring NFTs

The report indicated that while Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) may not be the primary focus of many Fortune 100 companies’ projects and plans, they are driving a surge in the retail sector’s web3 initiatives. This move diversifies participation beyond just tech and financial services and provides companies with a pathway to return on investment.

Indeed, the report found that collectively Fortune 100 companies have garnered approximately $10.3m in royalty revenue from 99,347 transactions with 14,354 distinct consumers. 

By category NFTs made up 11% of Fortune 100 companies investments in web3 and blockchain, while financials services made up 24%. DeFi investments made up just 1%.

The State of Crypto: Corporate Adoption report – Fortune 500

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