Blockchains provide the infrastructure: smart contracts turn money into executable code.

Ethereum: The original and most mature platform for programmable money. It supports full smart contract functionality for escrows, streaming payments, conditional transfers, and RWAs. Many tokenized funds and institutional pilots run here or via its layers.

Solana: High-speed, low-cost leader for scalable programmable payments. It powers major stablecoin activity, USDC settlements (e.g., Visa integrations), and high-volume RWA/tokenized asset use. Its performance makes it ideal for real-time agentic transactions.

Base (Coinbase): Growing fast for institutional adoption. JPMorgan issued JPMD (tokenized bank deposits) on Base, bringing programmable, regulated money to public networks while maintaining compliance.

Other Strong Contenders:

Polygon, Avalanche, Arbitrum: Popular for RWA tokenization and efficient programmable applications.

Specialized/Institutional: JPMorgan’s Kinexys (formerly Onyx) for enterprise programmable payments and tokenized deposits. BIS Project Agorá tests multi-currency programmable platforms for wholesale cross-border settlements using tokenized reserves and deposits.

Stablecoins as the Bridge: USDC (Circle), USDT, and bank-issued tokens act as programmable dollars. They combine fiat stability with blockchain rules for payments, remittances, and DeFi.

Tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) — treasuries, bonds, funds — accelerates this. BlackRock’s BUIDL, Franklin Templeton’s BENJI, and platforms like Centrifuge and Ondo bring trillions in potential on-chain liquidity with built-in programmability.