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

Wild claims, armed raids: The blockchain bank that wasn’t

AriseBank said it was the first crypto platform to buy a traditional bank. But there’s no evidence it did anything of the kind — and its founder now says it has been raided by the FBI.

By Penny Crosman
Executive Editor, Technology at Arizent

January 29
PSO content

Ripple magic wears off as Seagate shares slip on crypto mention

Seagate Technology Plc shares erased a gain of more than 5 percent in premarket trading after providing few details on its stake in Ripple Labs Inc., the company behind the third-most-valuable cryptocurrency.

January 29
Customer data

Warren's Mulvaney shot, B of A blowback and (more) CFPB: Top stories of the week

Elizabeth Warren takes acting CFPB director Mick Mulvaney to task over his decision on data collecting; B of A gets heat from harrassment reveal and free checking halt; and more.

January 26
Bitcoin

Massive crypto hack highlights need for custody solutions

The Japanese cryptocurrency exchange Coincheck says roughly $400 million of the digital currency NEM was stolen. If banks and others are to invest in the digital-asset industry, it will have to do better.

By Brian Patrick Eha

January 26
Blockchain

Two new payment firms try out Ripple's cryptocurrency

Plans by IDT and MercuryFX to test XRP for cross-border payments are another vote of confidence for Ripple’s products.

By Brian Patrick Eha

January 24
BankThink Can a Nobel Prize winner help banks navigate the bitcoin craze?

The work of the famed psychologist Daniel Kahneman provides insights into how bankers can make better business decisions around cryptocurrency and other investments.

January 23

Andrew Waxman

IBM Global Business Services
Blockchain

Travel segment's inefficiencies attract interest of blockchain developers

The mix of airlines, hotels and other companies that make up the travel industry have lost an innovative edge, in part because a once-cutting edge system of combined booking and payments has not aged well.

By John Adams
Executive Editor, Payments

January 22

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.