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.

Libra

Slideshow 'The right to financial services should be universal': Comments of the week

Readers respond to how Congress should address AI, concerns on Facebook's Libra and its logo, a report challenging card fraud prevention and more.

By Rachel Witkowski
Tech reporter

June 27
Blockchain

Retailers find more uses for blockchain — including payments

As blockchain use cases grow, retailers are seeing more reasons to use the distributed ledger technology for payments.

By David Heun
Associate Editor

June 27
BankThink The existential threat of Facebook's digital currency

If Libra becomes a major financial force, the stability of global finance is on the line.

June 27

Karen Petrou
Libra

Facebook's Libra will force a reckoning on crypto, privacy law

In the eyes of regulators, Facebook and bitcoin have a lot in common. Both challenge citizens' relationship to privacy, and both use technology in ways that current laws were unprepared for.

By John Adams
Executive Editor, Payments

June 27
JPMorgan Chase

JPMorgan sees client interest in JPM Coin for bond transactions

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is seeing interest from clients in the U.S., Europe and Japan on the potential for its prototype digital coin to speed up trading of securities such as bonds.

June 25
Bankshot Facebook thinks it can displace banks. Good luck with that.

Many people still distrust banks, but many also look askance at the social media giant, making it an unlikely savior of the unbanked.

June 25

Suleman Din

American Banker and Financial Planning
Digital payments

Why Washington mobilized so quickly against Facebook's crypto plans

The speed and the bipartisan nature of the demand for an investigation into Facebook's Libra are telling, giving ammunition to those who warned the cryptocurrency space is underregulated and unsafe

By Kate Berry
Reporter

June 24

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.