Abigail Johnson on stablecoins
From Fidelity CEO Abigail Johnson on Stablecoins, Bitcoin, and Innovation Bets · · a16z crypto
“We fought and spoke up quite vocally for quite a period of time to advocate for paying interest on stablecoins — up until the very end we were fighting for interest, but in the end I weighed in and we conceded that point with a lot of disappointment.”
On , Abigail Johnson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Fidelity Investments, spoke about stablecoins during Fidelity CEO Abigail Johnson on Stablecoins, Bitcoin, and Innovation Bets on a16z crypto.
About Abigail Johnson
Abigail Johnson, chairman and CEO of Fidelity Investments, has continued to emphasize the company's long-term commitment to digital assets. Speaking in late 2025, she described her belief in Bitcoin's role in the "savings hierarchy of lots of people" and noted that she personally owns Bitcoin. Johnson said that Fidelity launched an on-chain tokenized money market fund as a workaround after the company conceded on the issue of paying interest on stablecoins. She also reflected on the early days of Fidelity's crypto efforts, recalling that the company initially explored 52 use cases for blockchain technology, though only one—accepting Bitcoin donations for its charitable gift fund—came to fruition quickly. Johnson stated that Fidelity's digital assets custody business, launched in 2016, was built in response to demand from independent advisers and holders who needed institutional support. Johnson has also discussed the broader challenges and opportunities in the financial services industry. She noted that fee compression and rising customer expectations for service are driving disruption, and she said that Fidelity's status as a private company allows it to avoid quarterly earnings reporting and take a longer-term view. Johnson has advocated for Boston to become a hub for blockchain and digital assets, and she stated that regulation is a key factor in determining what products come to market. She has also described her leadership philosophy, saying she aims to "stay curious and keep learning" and that she values institutionalizing mobility within the company so employees develop different perspectives.