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.

Payments

Ant's AI push, PayPal's stablecoin adoption

This week in global news, Ant gets bullish on AI, PayPal's stablecoin has a fan in the bitcoin world, and more.

By John Adams, Kate Fitzgerald and Bloomberg News

September 13
ETFs

Franklin Templeton joins race to offer U.S. spot bitcoin ETF

Franklin Templeton has joined fellow asset manager powerhouses Fidelity and BlackRock in the race to win approval to offer the first U.S. exchange-traded fund that invests directly in bitcoin.

September 12
Payments

Texas bitcoin miners are shuttering operations while power crisis intensifies

Texas bitcoin miners, embroiled in a controversy over their energy-intensive operations, are shutting down most of their machines while the state grapples with its power crisis.

September 8
Regulation and compliance

Fed's Barr 'deeply concerned' about unregulated stablecoins

The Federal Reserve Board's vice chair for supervision called for the creation of a legislative and regulatory framework for overseeing dollar-pegged digital assets.

By Kyle Campbell
Staff writer

September 8
Regulation and compliance

Fed's Bowman: Privacy protection trumps innovation for digital assets

The Federal Reserve governor said the "risks and tradeoffs" associated with private and sovereign digital currencies need to be weighed carefully.

By Kyle Campbell
Staff writer

September 8
AB - Technology

State Street sees opportunity in court win for spot bitcoin ETF

A recent court decision could create more crypto-service opportunities for traditional banks.

By Catherine Leffert
Reporter

September 5
Financial crimes

Bankman-Fried may call experts at up to $1,200 an hour

Money can't buy love or friends, but it can help you find a lot of expert witnesses.

August 30

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.