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.

Digital currencies

Ripple's XRP used in $400M of crimes, a crypto-tracking firm says

Yet that figure is relatively low compared with other digital assets such as bitcoin, according to the fintech Elliptic.

By Penny Crosman
Executive Editor, Technology at Arizent

November 20
Blockchain

PayPal continues blockchain investments with funding for TRM Labs

PayPal Ventures is part of an investment group that has raised $4.2 million for cryptocurrency risk management platform TRM Labs.

By David Heun
Associate Editor

November 19
BankThink Crypto's road to respectability is long but true

As deployments accelerate it's hard to ignore the validity of cryptocurrency. But there's still work to do, says Polyient Labs' Brad Robertson.

November 19

Brad Robertson

Polyient Labs
BankThink Building the right sandbox to attract fintechs

Congress can help create a more uniform federal regulatory testing ground to foster innovation.

November 18

Jackson Mueller

Milken Institute's Center for Financial Markets
Bitcoin

Stablecoins like Facebook's Libra may pose systemic risks, Fed says

Global stablecoins could hurt financial stability if they are improperly designed and unregulated, according to a Fed report.

By Neil Haggerty
Reporter

November 15
BankThink A currency basket to back stablecoins won't work

A basket of currencies will include a mix of national interests and involve internal and external politics, says Stasis' Gregory Klumov.

November 15

Gregory Klumov

Stasis
Bitcoin

Crypto industry courts gold bugs as bitcoin loses some luster

The cryptocurrency world is seeing a surge in the issuance of gold-backed tokens, with some of the digital-asset industry’s biggest and most controversial participants joining in on the fresh gold rush.

November 15

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.