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.

BankThink Crypto tried to digitize trust, and failed. Now what?

The crypto industry thought it could do trust better than the banks, found out it couldn't and realized it needs rules to guarantee trust.

May 29

Paul Vigna

American Banker
Stablecoin

Why it's worth it for Jack Dorsey to make nice with stablecoins

Block's CEO is more bullish on bitcoin, but stablecoins add another option for the payment company's users to build their spendable balances while furthering the company's super app ambitions.

By John Adams
Executive Editor, Payments

May 28
BankThink The job apocalypse wouldn't have to be that apocalyptic to still be bad

AI could bring about the worst jobs market in the past century; the good news is we have time to figure out what to do about it.

May 27

Paul Vigna

American Banker
Digital Assets

Coinbase relaunches direct deposit option

The crypto exchange, which closed its original direct deposit service in late 2024, has brought it back for users to set up automated digital asset investing.

By Melinda Huspen
Tech Reporter

May 26
BankThink Crypto still has a serious trust problem that companies must address

Consumers don't mistrust crypto products because they don't understand the technology behind them. They mistrust them because they have seen them fail under pressure. The path forward will be slow and incremental.

May 25

Jacob O. William
BankThink Crypto firms need to get serious about consumer safeguards

The use of cryptocurrency products will only go truly mainstream when everyday consumers feel confident that their assets are not at risk of disappearing because of a mistake or an oversight.

May 22

Steve Bailey
BankThink Kraken wants to be a (legally speaking) bank. Why?

Crypto firms are becoming the kinds of trusted third parties bitcoin was created to get around, raising the question of what digital currencies are even for.

May 18

Paul Vigna

American Banker

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.