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.

Stablecoin

New crypto bill looks at stablecoin yield, but passage still unlikely

Republicans released a new version of the crypto bill ahead of a scheduled vote. But even with the changes, Democrats have little incentive to offer support.

By Claire Williams and John Heltman

September 14
Politics and policy

What banks can expect if Democrats sweep Congress

Polling suggests that Democrats could retake control of the House and have a formidable shot at the Senate as well. If they win both chambers, oversight of bank regulation, crypto and Trump administration officials will be the name of the game.

By Claire Williams
Reporter

September 14
Licenses and charters

Block seeks national trust charter to offer crypto custody

The payments fintech announced that it has applied for a national trust bank charter from the OCC for both bitcoin and stablecoin custody.

By Melinda Lucy
Tech Reporter

September 9
BankThink Tokenizing assets opens up vast new opportunities for banks

Tokenization projects are no longer viewed as modernization initiatives, but rather as a potential source of new revenue, lower operating costs, improved capital efficiency and differentiated products.

September 7

Kelly Mathieson
Blockchain

Citi's use of Swift blockchain extends tokenized deposits' reach

Swift's network of 11,500 banks can exchange deposit tokens in a standardized way.

By Penny Crosman
Executive Editor, Technology at Arizent

September 4
SoFi

SoFi-Kraken partnership connects banking, digital assets

The digital bank announced a collaborative partnership with the crypto exchange platform as it continues to expand its overall digital asset strategy.

By Melinda Lucy
Tech Reporter

September 4
Prediction Markets

CFTC asks judge to toss CME challenge to Kalshi perps

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission asked a federal court to drop a suit filed by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange challenging the agency's decision to let Kalshi offer bitcoin perpetual futures contracts, known as perps.

By Ebrima Santos Sanneh
Reporter

September 3

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.