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.

Cross border payments

Remittance stalwarts expand to meet the crypto threat

Blockchain and cryptocurrency innovations threaten to upend mainstream remittance providers, but there are still market gaps that may be best served by a large bank footprint.

By John Adams
Executive Editor, Payments

July 19
Blockchain

Once a doubter, TD is now bullish on crypto, blockchain

It's created a new digital assets and distributed ledger group, trades bitcoin futures and is funding a crypto exchange.

By Penny Crosman
Executive Editor, Technology at Arizent

July 17
Digital ID

PayPal-backed blockchain aims to help banks verify digital IDs

A new project backed by the government of Luxembourg could ultimately be influential in the U.S., where banks have been slow to develop a shared platform for digital identities.

By Penny Crosman
Executive Editor, Technology at Arizent

July 16
Earnings

JPMorgan won’t let revenue risks curtail expansion plan

The likelihood of Fed rate cuts is causing banks to plan for less net interest income, but it would be a mistake for JPMorgan to back off its move into new markets and tech investments, Jamie Dimon says.

By Andy Peters

July 16
Libra

Facebook crypto exec meets congressional firing squad

Resistance to Libra on the Senate Banking Committee was bipartisan, and other takeaways from Tuesday’s hearing.

By Neil Haggerty
Reporter

July 16
Libra

Credit union trade groups to Facebook: Not so fast

NAFCU and CUNA expressed concerns about the social media giant's proposed cryptocurrency, including reiterating calls for Congress to act on data security.

By Melissa Angell
Reporter

July 16
BankThink Libra forces a distinction between cryptocurrency and digital securities

Facebook's announcement makes it more important than ever to clarify what a digital security and cryptocurrency are, and what they are not, according to Juan Hernandez, CEO of Openfinance and Carlos Domingo, CEO and co-founder of Securitize.

July 16

Juan Hernandez

Openfinance

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.