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.

Bank technology

Where fintech dollars will go in 2018

Banks plan to spend more on blockchain and AI in the coming year, and appear willing to explore new technology partnerships.

By Penny Crosman
Executive Editor, Technology at Arizent

December 27
Bank technology

Where fintech dollars will go in 2018

Banks plan to spend more on blockchain and AI in the coming year, and appear willing to explore new technology partnerships.

By Penny Crosman
Executive Editor, Technology at Arizent

December 26
Cross border payments

Blockchain isn't the only way to modernize cross-border payments, Flywire learns

Blockchain technology has uses beyond bitcoin, and many companies see merit in using it to handle cross-border payments. But blockchain isn't the only solution to the inefficiencies of international money movement.

By Kate Fitzgerald
Senior Editor, Payments

December 26
Bitcoin

Four perspectives on bitcoinmania

Is it a bubble? Is it a fraud? There are many ways to look at the highly volatile bitcoin, few of them banker-friendly.

By Penny Crosman
Executive Editor, Technology at Arizent

December 22
BankThink Don't sleep on bitcoin as a payments option

Major retailers accept bitcoin, and BitPay reports that it will process more than $1 billion in payments this year. Even McDonald's is reportedly considering that it will accept bitcoin payments, writes consultant Collin Canright.

December 22

Collin Canright

Canright Communications
Bitcoin

Goldman Sachs plans to trade cryptocurrencies by June 2018

The famed investment bank is set to become the first major Wall Street bank to make markets in digital currencies such as bitcoin.

By Brian Patrick Eha

December 21
Mobile wallets

Data: The trends to watch in 2018

Here we take a data-driven journey into 2018 and some of the key trends that we’re likely to witness.

By Nick Holland
Senior Analyst

December 20

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.