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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Crypto-linked cards are seeing strong volume growth despite offering little more than a crypto add-on to traditional payments systems — but familiarity is often a backdoor to more profound changes.
January 22
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The collapse of the illicit escrow marketplace disrupts a major hub for "pig butchering" scams, though experts warn the ecosystem will likely fragment.
January 21
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Efforts to exclude crypto firms from the provision of a number of different core financial services are doomed to fail. The only correct response is to provide the prudential regulation necessary to assure safe and sound operation.
January 20
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Cryptocurrency has traditionally been an investment product more than a way to make purchases, but fintechs are betting there's a future for digital assets at the point of sale.
January 20
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MUFG Securities Americas is designated a primary dealer by the New York Fed; Founders Bank appoints Chris Lipscomb its senior vice president and chief lending officer; the Independent Community Bankers of America names Charles Yi senior executive vice president of government relations; and more in this week's banking news roundup.
January 16
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The crypto lender issued over 5,000 loans to residents without a license and failed to assess repayment ability, the DFPI said.
January 15
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Noelle Acheson explains how on-chain vaults, born in decentralized finance, could shape the centralized banking of tomorrow.
January 15
The first three months of the year coincide with the start of President Donald Trump's second term in office. Investors are likely to be more interested in banks' outlooks amid swings in tariff policy than the first-quarter results.
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