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.

Bitcoin

Bitcoin futures trading starts off on wild ride

The cryptocurrency proved so popular it triggered two temporary trading halts on CBOE's Global Markets exchange.

December 11
BankThink Despite the blockchain, cryptocurrencies still carry fraud risk

The risks of fraud, along with the current reputation of such currencies as often being used for money laundering and other criminal activities, has caused worry in the market, writes John Verver, and advisor to ACL.

December 11

John Verver

ACL
BankThink Bitcoin's whiplash market is the beginning of its maturity

We’ll view this wild rally as the starting point of cryptocurrencies becoming mainstream. They cannot be defined as a fad any longer, writes Nigel Green, founder and CEO of deVere Group.

December 11

Nigel Green

deVere Group
Bitcoin

Inside banks, bitcoin futures are riling trading executives

Bitcoin is coming to Wall Street on Sunday, and some executives at the world's biggest banks aren't sleeping well.

December 8
Bitcoin

Cryptocurrencies aren’t the problem in recent hacks, user error is

Tether's $31 million hack gave bitcoin skeptics plenty to crow about. But experts say bad security is to blame, not digital assets.

By Brian Patrick Eha

December 8
BankThink Biometric security can boost cryptocurrency's reputation

The biometric data, broken up into shares, is persisted separately in off-chain storage that can be controlled and sealed via blockchain references for integrity and provenance, writes James Stickland, CEO of Veridium.

December 6

James Stickland

Veridium
BankThink How cryptocurrency can become 'real money'

Innovative companies are working on ways to instantaneously convert cryptocurrency into the currency accepted by the merchant, writes Vladimir Gorbunov, COO and co-founder of Crypterium.

December 5

Vladimir Gorbunov

Cyrpterium

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.