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
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.
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On-chain infrastructure is making idle balances obsolete. The OCC needs to act before banks lose the ability to compete in a market where consumers no longer tolerate below-market-rate returns.
April 9
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A new analysis from the White House's Council of Economic Advisers says the banking industry's fears about deposit flight are overstated. Experts familiar with the banking industry's concerns say the report's conclusions are beside the point.
April 8
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Banks' core ledger systems are a sclerotic holdover from the past. The future belongs to the banks that set them aside and allow transactions to close in real time.
April 8
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The largest crypto theft of 2026 hit Drift Protocol after attackers exploited a small security council, putting a spotlight on DeFi vulnerabilities.
April 2
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The cryptocurrency exchange is the latest digital asset firm to receive a trust bank charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
April 2
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The digital bank launched Big Business Banking, an interface for businesses to manage fiat and crypto assets in the same place and conduct 24/7 transactions.
April 2
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As bitcoin plays an ever-larger role in cross-border transactions, what remains to be seen is how prepared the various bodies overseeing global finance are to engage with an asset that operates largely beyond their ability to meaningfully control it.
April 2
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