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 Don’t buy what Zuckerberg’s selling on Libra

Facebook’s cryptocurrency would not help underserved communities, despite the claims of its CEO, who is slated to appear before Congress this week.

October 22

Raul Carrillo

Modern Money Network
Payment processing

To push crypto payments, Factom's PegNet creates tokens for many currencies

Factom Protocol executives were on Capitol Hill three years ago with other providers explaining the benefits of the blockchain and cryptocurrency technology for security and payments to the nation's lawmakers.

By David Heun
Associate Editor

October 21
AML

Crypto firms can't skirt AML compliance: Fincen chief

Kenneth Blanco's tough comments appeared to target payments providers that offer their users anonymity.

By Brendan Pedersen
Reporter

October 21
CRA

Slideshow 'Enough of this nonsense': Comments of the week

Readers cast doubts on regulatory attempts to jointly revamp the Community Reinvestment Act, react to Democrats berating the CFPB head, an upcoming House hearing with Facebook's CEO and more.

By Rachel Witkowski
Tech reporter

October 17
Digital payments

Facebook's Marcus vows to 'move forward' with Libra, add members

The Facebook Inc. executive responsible for the embattled Libra cryptocurrency said he doesn’t fault companies that pulled out of the project, adding that he’s optimistic more organizations will sign on despite intense opposition from politicians who seem to fear financial innovation.

October 16
Libra

Why 21 companies are staying committed to Libra

Facebook’s controversial Libra cryptocurrency project is moving ahead, undaunted by the rapid departure of five high-profile companies. The Libra Association confirmed 21 members have formally signed on and formed the association’s council.

By John Adams
Executive Editor, Payments

October 15
Libra

Libra’s future is on the line at high-stakes Geneva summit

The Libra Association's remaining stakeholders — under very public pressure to abandon ship — will potentially find strength in numbers at its meeting in Switzerland.

By John Adams
Executive Editor, Payments

October 12

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.