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.

BankThink Facebook's ad policy is the best publicity bitcoin can get

The crypto market has been in bear territory recently, and Facebook's removal of its bitcoin ad ban can help a resumption of cryptocurrency expansion, according to Nigel Green, founder and CEO of deVere Group.

July 3

Nigel Green

deVere Group
Women in Banking BMO Harris' digital push, California's sandbox skeptic and a giant slayer

A Chicago bank isn't afraid of taking on competitors that spend billions on technology. A state regulator is afraid of giving fintech startups too much latitude. Yet another one of our Most Powerful Women retires. Plus, blockchain's leading ladies, the fallout from a big political upset and a tool to help you stop apologizing.

July 2

Aditi Sangal
PSO content

Coinbase adds 10 customers for its new crypto custody service

Coinbase Inc., one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, said 10 hedge funds and family offices have begun using the custody service it debuted last week that seeks to safeguard digital tokens in a manner similar to traditional securities.

July 2
BankThink Blockchain's health care payments also boost medical care

Blockchain provides greater data management tools and improved connections between insurance payments and medical care, says Jeremias Grenzebach, co-founder and core developer at Dentacoin Foundation.

July 2

Jeremias Grenzebach

Dentacoin Foundation
Fintech

How a credit union became a fintech accelerator

Digital Federal Credit Union developed a platform to accelerate fintech development that helps to bake in a valuable partnership between groups that might otherwise be competing with each other.

By Michael Bartlett

June 29
BankThink Crypto's smart contracts can revolutionize legal payments, and the legal profession

The internet democratized access to information, and now cryptocurrencies are democratizing access to financial services. The next wave of the digital revolution has the potential to democratize access to justice, Kleros co-founder Federico Ast writes.

June 28

Federico Ast

Kleros
BankThink Cryptocurrency transactions are even more transparent than bank accounts

Every transaction is traceable on the blockchain — though only to the addresses that initiated it. Compare this to Fedwire Funds Service and ACH payments, which don’t have this transaction history available, writes Bob Rutherford is the CEO and founder of Hedge.

June 26

Bob Rutherford

Hedge

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.