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.

Blockchain

Gazprom, S7 Airlines use blockchain to buy aircraft fuel

Russia's S7 Airlines implemented its first blockchain-based smart contract for the refueling of one of its aircraft.

By Michael Moeser
Senior Content Strategist

August 27
BankThink Cryptocurrency and blockchain are the last, best way to win young consumers

After the 2008 banking crisis, centralized payment systems and financial services don’t have as much appeal to the younger set as a more transparent decentralized system, argues Csaba Csabai, founder and CEO of Inlock.

August 24

Csaba Csabai

Inlock
BankThink Bitcoin has a scale problem. Here's how to fix that.

Bitcoin's scale and energy consumption have held it back as a payments option, but there are advancements that can change that, according to Jan-Willem Burgers, Europe technology lead with the distributed ledger practice at Capgemini.

August 21

Jan-Willem Burgers

Capgemini
Blockchain

Why a former Visa exec joined a U.K. blockchain security startup

Kevin Jenkins, former managing director of Visa U.K. and Ireland, joined the board of London-based fintech Nuggets to oversee business development for the blockchain-based security provider as it enters the massive mobile payments market in Asia.

By Robin Arnfield

August 20
Marijuana banking

How Tokes targets the regulatory thicket of legal cannabis

Because the legal cannabis industry is typically considered too high-risk for most banks and payment processors to work with, most technology solutions are designed to duplicate the familiar process of paying by card.

By Michael Moeser
Senior Content Strategist

August 20
Blockchain

Credit unions' distributed ledger evolves into a platform

Credit unions are working to turn a distributed ledger-based identity project into a platform for payments and financial services.

By John Adams
Executive Editor, Payments

August 17
Cross border payments

Wyre selling majority of money transfer business to WorldFirst

Wyre has entered into a definitive agreement to sell the majority of its retail money transfer business to WorldFirst, giving the seller a chance to focus more on its cryptocurrency strategy.

By Michael Moeser
Senior Content Strategist

August 16

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.