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.

Compliance

Regulators can loosen crypto rules, but they can’t change minds

States are changing how they regulate bitcoin, but convincing merchants and consumers to jump-start a dreary cryptocurrency payments market is another matter.

By John Adams
Executive Editor, Payments

February 20
Consumer lending

Wells' tech snafu, BB&T-SunTrust cont'd., JPM Coin: Top stories of the week

Flaws in testing may be real source of Wells Fargo's tech failure; BB&T-SunTrust deal throws talent and deposits up for grabs, threatens banking's middle tier; what JPMorgan Chase's JPM Coin means for Ripple and Swift; and more from this week's most-read stories.

February 15
Bitcoin

List 5 things JPM Coin will do for banking and blockchain

JPMorgan's blockchain effort could lead to solutions that overcome industry skepticism and regulatory concerns and perhaps attract more mainstream retail interest.

By Suleman Din and Will Hernandez

February 14
Digital currencies

How will rivals respond to JPM Coin?

Barclays, Bank of America, TD Bank and other banks have filed multiple blockchain patents over the years, but have yet to publicly announce their plans for the technology.

By Will Hernandez

February 14
Digital currencies

Can JPMorgan Chase's JPM Coin knock off Ripple and Swift?

JPMorgan is prototyping its own digital currency to be used for cross-border payments and, later, other purposes. Will banks find this a palatable alternative to today's most well-known options?

By Penny Crosman
Executive Editor, Technology at Arizent

February 14
Blockchain

JPM Coin's focus on B2B breaks the bitcoin mold

JPM Coin is not meant for consumer payments, but rather is a specific technology for a specific use case that the bank controls. Its value comes not from JPM Coin's appeal, but from JPMorgan's titanic wholesale payments business.

By David Heun
Associate Editor

February 14
Blockchain

JPMorgan to use cryptocurrency for corporate-payments business

JPMorgan Chase successfully tested a cryptocurrency it plans to use in trials for clients of its wholesale-payments business. Dubbed JPM Coin, it's based on blockchain technology, the bank said Thursday in a presentation on its website.

February 14

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.