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.

BankThink Congress must include deposit insurance in stablecoin legislation

Protecting depositors' stablecoin holdings could be the difference between providing the economy with a new boost and creating unnecessary drag.

December 2

Todd Phillips

Roosevelt Institute, Georgia State
Regulation and compliance

CFTC's Behnam urges lawmakers to build on Stabenow-Boozman crypto bill

Lawmakers appeared to support strengthening a bill to give the Commodity Futures Trading Commission authority over crypto derivatives.

By Kate Berry
Reporter

December 1
Regulation and compliance

NYDFS proposes charging crypto businesses for supervision

The New York financial regulator said the move would help the agency ensure customer protections are in place in the volatile crypto market.

By Ebrima Santos Sanneh
Reporter

December 1
Regulation and compliance

FDIC 'looking closely' at Farmington State Bank in FTX fiasco

FTX's previously unknown ties to the banking system have raised questions about crypto's reach in traditional finance.

By Claire Williams
Reporter

December 1
Regulation and compliance

Interest rates, climate change, crypto are top concerns for New York Fed supervisors

Dianne Dobbeck, head of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's supervision group, said the banking system is sound, but potentially destabilizing risks must be monitored and addressed.

By Kyle Campbell
Staff writer

December 1
Regulation and compliance

FTX missing billions remain mystery after Bankman-Fried grilling

Mystery continues to shroud the missing billions at the bankrupt crypto exchange FTX after its disgraced founder Sam Bankman-Fried denied trying to perpetrate a fraud while admitting to grievous managerial errors.

December 1
Regulation and compliance

Fed's Cook says new regulations might not be needed to protect banks from crypto

Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook said recent events show that existing regulation and supervision tools are already well suited for safeguarding banks from the risks of digital assets.

By Kyle Campbell
Staff writer

November 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.