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.

Retailers

Crypto's best bet for retail payments: Gun shops

Cryptocurrency has struggled to be accepted for everyday payments, but it is finding opportunities in certain niches — such as gun sales.

By Karen Epper Hoffman

February 1
BankThink Blockchain's strongest links are open development tools

Payment companies and businesses that want to leverage blockchain need to properly connect the decentralized platform they use to existing databases and back-end systems, writes IIya Pupko, chief architect at Jitterbit.

January 31

IIya Pupko

Jitterbit
Cross border payments

Swift's tech network tests links to e-commerce, trading, blockchain

The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication is testing a link between e-commerce and trading platforms within its Global Payments Innovation network, with the first trial taking place on the Corda blockchain platform.

By David Heun
Associate Editor

January 30
Digital currencies

House passes bills to tackle illicit use of virtual currencies

The bipartisan legislation would establish a task force to study how bad actors exploit new technologies and reward tips that lead to criminal convictions, among other things.

By Neil Haggerty
Reporter

January 29
BankThink Blockchain's 'new cloud' pushes diverse payment options

Blockchain reclaims proof of trust and allows users to reassign the data management role to a decentralized network guided by autonomous and immutable code, writes IIya Pupko, chief architect at Jitterbit.

January 28

IIya Pupko

Jitterbit
Customer data

Is customer information safer with a blockchain database?

Spring Labs is spearheading a group of prominent fintech lenders to use a blockchain-based, peer-to-peer network to share consumer information to help with ID verification on loan applications.

By Will Hernandez

January 24
Samsung Pay

Samsung S10 leak shows blockchain and crypto plans

Samsung’s been pushing for government support for its blockchain and cryptocurrency technology for much of the past year, and early Galaxy S10 leaks suggest a built-in crypto wallet will be among the handset's planned features.

By John Adams
Executive Editor, Payments

January 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.