By Ray Birch
DOVER, Del.—For credit unions still debating whether crypto belongs inside their ecosystem, Kian Sarreshteh believes the question is already outdated. In 2026, he says, crypto won’t be a differentiator—it will be table stakes.
“The biggest change heading into 2026 is that financial institutions finally have competition around digital investing,” said Sarreshteh, CEO of InvestiFi, a fintech that has worked with credit unions on crypto since 2023. “Most credit unions and banks we talk to now aren’t asking if they should offer crypto. They’re asking how fast they can launch—and what else they need to offer alongside it.”
That shift marks a dramatic change from just a year ago. Under the previous Administration, Sarreshteh estimates only a minority of credit unions showed serious interest in crypto. Today, he says, the majority are actively planning launches, driven less by ideology and more by economics. As consumers increasingly gravitate toward “one-stop shops” like Robinhood, SoFi, Fidelity, and Schwab, financial institutions are watching money—and relationships—flow out of their cores.
“When credit unions actually look at the data and see how much money is leaving their ecosystem for third-party investing platforms, the alarm bells start going off,” Sarreshteh said. “Those outflows are material, and they’re consistent across both banks and credit unions.”
Crypto Is Only One Piece Of The 2026 Puzzle
Sarreshteh’s outlook for 2026 goes beyond crypto trading alone. He expects more credit unions to deploy what he calls the “big three” of digital investing: crypto, self-directed stocks and ETFs, and robo-advisory solutions—all embedded directly into online and mobile banking.
That broader approach mirrors the playbook of fintech competitors that already blend banking and investing into a single experience. For credit unions, the goal isn’t chasing trends, Sarreshteh argues—it’s defending relevance.
“Crypto is one side of the business,” he said. “But stablecoins and digital investing as a whole are where adoption really accelerates.”
InvestiFi was among the first providers to enable real-time conversion of crypto to U.S. dollars back in 2023, a capability Sarreshteh sees as increasingly important as new stablecoins enter the market. Partnerships with firms like Metallicus, along with custodians willing to support emerging coins, could further normalize stablecoin usage inside regulated financial institutions.
That adoption, however, hinges heavily on what happens in Washington, he said.
Regulation, Stablecoins, And A Trillion-Dollar Question
Sarreshteh is closely watching federal efforts to clarify whether crypto exchanges can effectively pay yield on stablecoins by labeling returns as “rewards” or “gifts.” Banks and credit unions argue that loophole could siphon trillions of dollars in deposits away from the regulated system.
“I completely agree with those concerns,” Sarreshteh said. “What often gets overlooked is the risk behind stablecoin yield.”
Kian Sarreshteh
He warned that many yield mechanisms rely on rehypothecation—lending stablecoins back into the market through smart contracts and counterparties that introduce significant risk. A failure in that chain, he said, could trigger another crypto-market meltdown.
“For consumers, traditional savings and money market accounts at banks and credit unions are still the safest way to earn yield,” he said. “What’s concerning is when crypto exchanges advertise higher returns without clearly disclosing the risk.”
Whether Congress closes that loophole could shape how aggressively credit unions lean into stablecoins in 2026—but Sarreshteh believes clarity, in either direction, is coming.
Why Iras Are The Next Logical Step
As digital investing matures inside credit unions, InvestiFi is expanding beyond taxable accounts. The company plans to roll out Roth IRAs in early 2026, giving institutions another tool to deepen member relationships.
For Sarreshteh, the move isn’t about chasing retirement assets—it’s about signaling longevity.
“When a member engages with a Roth IRA through their credit union, that’s usually a sign they’re going to be a long-term relationship,” he said. “Those members tend to be more engaged and more likely to use other products over time.”
For credit unions already investing in crypto and digital investing infrastructure, retirement accounts can complement—not replace—existing offerings, reinforcing loyalty while keeping more assets within the institution’s ecosystem.
Recognition On A Global Stage
As InvestiFi expands its footprint, the market has taken notice. In 2025, the company won Best in Show at America’s Credit Unions’ Governmental Affairs Conference, followed by Best Alternative Investment Solution at Finovate.
Perhaps most notable was its recognition at the Bank & Tech Awards in London, where InvestiFi was named Best Digital WealthTech Solution Provider.
“That one was surreal,” Sarreshteh said. “To be recognized on a global stage validated the approach we’ve taken—building digital investing natively inside online and mobile banking, using the core for fund flows, and keeping idle cash on the financial institution’s balance sheet.”
As 2026 unfolds, Sarreshteh sees that model becoming less of an innovation—and more of an expectation.
“Digital investing inside online banking isn’t optional anymore,” he said. “For credit unions, it’s quickly becoming part of the cost of staying competitive.”