Crypto in Banking

Digital assets, tokenization, and the evolution of crypto in banking

American Banker delivers trusted, journalist-driven analysis on how banks are navigating the world of crypto. From regulatory updates to use cases for blockchain infrastructure, this portal explores how digital assets are reshaping payments, custody, compliance, and more. Whether you're building strategy or managing risk, our crypto coverage helps financial leaders stay ahead of disruption.

American Banker highlights the areas where crypto is intersecting with core banking functions like compliance, settlement, and liquidity management. Our reporting avoids the hype and focuses on what matters to banks: oversight, infrastructure, and risk. Whether you're shaping strategy or monitoring market shifts, this is where the industry's crypto story takes shape.

Lending

Signature Bank raises its bet on cryptocurrency

The New York bank, which holds deposits for the stablecoin firm Circle and enables payments for the smart contract provider GreenBox, wants to provide loans to crypto firms as well.

By John Adams
Executive Editor, Payments

April 22
Lending

Signature Bank raises its bet on cryptocurrency

The New York bank, which holds deposits for the stablecoin firm Circle and enables payments for the smart contract provider GreenBox, wants to provide loans to crypto firms as well.

By John Adams
Executive Editor, Payments

April 22
P-to-P payments

Venmo primes a younger crowd for crypto payments

The PayPal subsidiary serves a more youthful and tech-savvy demographic than many of the mainstream payment companies that have already added crypto support.

By John Adams
Executive Editor, Payments

April 20
P-to-P payments

Venmo primes a younger crowd for crypto payments

The PayPal subsidiary serves a more youthful and tech-savvy demographic than many of the mainstream payment companies that have already added crypto support.

By John Adams
Executive Editor, Payments

April 20
BankThink Public policy can't slow distributed finance

he regulatory establishment in the U.S. and Europe, the DeFi market has too much momentum, contends blockchain investor Giamo Arcaro.

April 20

Giacamo Arcaro
Digital payments

Bank of England joins global peers exploring a digital currency

Britain’s Treasury and the Bank of England are weighing the potential creation of a central bank digital currency, joining authorities from China to Sweden exploring the next big step in the future of money.

April 19
Fintech

Coinbase now has the heft to go all-in on payments

By using a direct listing instead of an IPO, Coinbase can quickly draw mainstream investors to fuel a payments franchise.

By John Adams
Executive Editor, Payments

April 19

Frequently Asked Questions:

How is American Banker’s crypto coverage different from crypto-native sites?

We don’t cover meme coins or speculative investing. Our editorial team reports from a banking-first lens — focusing on regulation, enterprise use cases, compliance, and tech partnerships involving banks, fintechs, and regulators.

What are the main ways banks are engaging with crypto today?

Digital payments innovation
Cross-border payments using blockchain rails
Tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) like treasuries and mortgages
Compliance tech for crypto transactions and AML screening
Partnerships with fintechs and exchanges

Is crypto still relevant after recent market volatility?

Yes — especially for regulated institutions. Crypto markets may be volatile, but underlying blockchain infrastructure continues to attract investment and regulatory scrutiny. Banks are investing in long-term use cases, not short-term speculation. The focus is on efficiency, transparency, and fitting new technology into existing financial systems.

Who contributes to American Banker’s crypto coverage?

Our reporters and editors have deep experience in financial regulation, payments, and fintech. We regularly interview bank executives, technologists, regulators, and policy analysts — bringing you real-world insights that matter to institutions.

Can American Banker crypto insights be shared in boardrooms and risk committees?

Yes. Our reporting is regularly cited by bank leaders, shared in investment decks, and used to support internal discussions on innovation, risk appetite, and digital transformation. For redistribution, see our licensing terms.

How do I stay up-to-date on the latest crypto news?

We update our crypto coverage regularly — in response to breaking regulatory moves, major institutional adoption, and industry shifts. Check back daily or subscribe to our newsletters to stay current. Coverage includes interviews with banking leaders, policy updates from Washington, and analysis of the latest technology pilots. As crypto continues to evolve, our reporting helps financial professionals track what matters most.

What are the key crypto-related themes to watch right now?

Banks are keeping a close eye on the growth of stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and how blockchain is being used to streamline payments and settlement. At the same time, regulatory decisions around custody, licensing, and compliance are shaping what’s possible in the months ahead.