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 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
BankThink BIS' crypto warning doesn't consider blockchain's nonfinancial benefits

The warning doesn't touch on blockchain's nonfinancial applications, where it is making more of an impact, contends Joseph Thompson, CEO and co-founder of AID:Tech.

June 25

Joseph Thompson

AID: Tech
Blockchain

Why this VC fintech firm didn’t invest in Coinbase and Ripple

Nyca Partners is now an investor in enterprise blockchain, but in 2014 it had doubts about the technology.

By Nathan DiCamillo

June 22
BankThink BIS' gloomy warning on cryptocurrency ignores future innovation

Warnings about "breaking the internet" and environmental harm don't take blockchain's ability to improve these factors into account, contends Vladislav Dramaliev, marketing lead at aeternity.

June 22

Vladislav Dramaliev

aeternity

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.