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.

Book review Inside the mind of Sam Bankman-Fried

Michael Lewis takes a more sympathetic approach than many other observers to the former CEO of the crypto exchange FTX in his latest book, "Going Infinite."

November 23

Miriam Cross

Arizent
Politics and policy

Binance and CEO plead guilty, agree to pay billions in fines

In a settlement with the Department of Justice, Treasury and market regulators, crypto exchange Binance agreed to pay more than $4 billion in fines and for CEO Changpeng Zhao to resign in a sprawling settlement of anti-money laundering and sanctions violations.

November 21
Payments

How Ripple is trying to reach new audiences

The blockchain company is targeting non-financial clients and new geographic regions in a series of product rollouts.

By John Adams
Executive Editor, Payments

November 21
Payments

Lloyds says crypto scams are spiking, CBA using AI to fight abuse

A Lloyds Bank study finds that the number of crytpo scams rose by 23% year-over-year in October. Separately, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia is using artificial intelligence to detect abusive language in transaction messaging.

By John Adams
Executive Editor, Payments

November 15
Bitcoin

Fake BlackRock fund filing triggers a brief rally in XRP cryptocurrency

A filing for a BlackRock fund based on the cryptocurrency XRP showed up on the official Delaware website that registers investment trusts incorporated in the state. The only problem is that BlackRock wasn't the one who submitted it.

November 13
UBS

UBS allows wealthy clients to trade crypto ETFs in Hong Kong

UBS joined rivals such as HSBC in allowing clients in Hong Kong to trade some crypto-linked exchange-traded funds amid a push by the city to foster a digital-asset hub.

November 10
Payments

HSBC, Ripple to launch digital assets custody for tokenized securities

HSBC plans to offer institutional clients a custody service for digital assets such as tokenized securities, the bank's latest move in the new area of finance.

November 8

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.