Banks eye first-mover advantage to embracing the metaverse

Banks are carving out their own spaces in the metaverse, a virtual world estimated to represent a $1 trillion market opportunity.

By Anna Hrushka • June 2, 2022

SEC enforcement attorney predicts 'a lot more fraud' in crypto markets

The SEC will turn to litigation if needed to achieve “clarity” as it fights abuses in cryptocurrency markets, according to an attorney in the agency’s Enforcement Division.

By Jim Tyson • May 16, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Artificial intelligence

Banks are enthusiastic about AI’s promises. But can they get customers on board, and will regulators let the innovation happen?

By Banking Dive staff

Yellen urges stricter stablecoin regulation this year, amid TerraUSD crash

The coin, which relies on an algorithm rather than being backed by dollar reserves, plummeted to 23 cents Wednesday, according to CoinDesk.

By Robin Bradley • May 11, 2022

Current wades into embedded banking with launch of API platform

The neobank announced Plaid as its first partner, a tie-up the two firms said will enable Current’s customers to access more than 6,000 apps and services powered by the data aggregator’s network.

By Anna Hrushka • May 11, 2022

SEC to nearly double crypto enforcement unit

The agency is adding 20 supervisors, investigative staff attorneys, trial counsels and fraud analysts to an already 30-strong team. 

By Robin Bradley • May 3, 2022

OCC orders crypto bank Anchorage to revamp AML program

The regulator said the bank failed to implement internal controls for customer due diligence and procedures for monitoring suspicious activity. It also failed to hire a Bank Secrecy Act officer, the OCC said.

By Anna Hrushka • April 22, 2022

Revolut, Cross River link up to offer US consumer loans

Customers who use the personal loan offering, which will be available in the coming months, won't be subject to late fees, origination fees or prepayment penalties, the neobank said.

By Anna Hrushka • April 18, 2022

Neobank Step to launch crypto, stock investing product for users under 18

The teen-focused challenger bank claims the new offering will make it the first financial app to enable customers under the age of 18 to buy, sell, hold and receive crypto.

By Anna Hrushka • April 12, 2022

FDIC: Banks should alert agency of their crypto-related pursuits

The regulator said it supports safe and sound innovations, but is concerned that the risks associated with crypto assets and crypto-related activities are not well understood.

By Anna Hrushka • April 8, 2022

Toomey bill would let OCC give charters to stablecoin issuers

The Republican senator's draft bill would preserve state-registered money transmitter status for most existing issuers and would clarify that insured depository institutions are permitted to issue the digital currency.

By Anna Hrushka • April 7, 2022

Dimon: Russia exposure could cost JPMorgan $1B

Despite the conflict's impact on the bank's bottom line, the CEO called for tougher sanctions against the invading country — and added that because of a confluence of factors, mergers in banking are inevitable this decade.

By Anna Hrushka • April 5, 2022

Cross River hits $3B valuation, eyes global expansion — but still defies labels

"Besides the technology ... we also are a regulated financial institution, and the combination of the two really is the secret sauce that allows us to work" with heavy-hitting partner companies, executive Hillel Olivestone said.

By Anna Hrushka • March 31, 2022

Goldman's OTC crypto trade may cement bank's leading role in digital assets

The firm partnered with Galaxy Digital to execute the trade of a Bitcoin non-deliverable option, the first such transaction by a Wall Street bank.

By Robin Bradley • March 22, 2022

3 ways banking and finance could blur in 2022

Relationships have taken root where there was once overlap between banks and other financial service providers, writes Fabrizio Burlando, executive vice president of consulting at Mastercard.

By Fabrizio Burlando • March 17, 2022

3 execs are leaving Citi for crypto or fintech. Will it be a turnover trigger for the bank?

Goldman Sachs suffered a rash of executive flight last year. If leaders continue to leave Citi, observers may look back at these departures as cumulatively significant.

By Dan Ennis • March 14, 2022

Biden's digital-asset order may prompt legislation

Calls for coordination across government agencies and a relatively short timeline to produce reports on the issue reinforce how seriously officials view forward movement, a law professor said.

By Caitlin Mullen • March 11, 2022

White House lays out digital-asset priorities

An executive order issued Wednesday details six priorities in "harnessing the potential benefits" of the emerging technologies.

By Lynne Marek • March 9, 2022

Circle delays SPAC merger, doubles valuation to $9B

The firm behind USD Coin has renegotiated its transaction terms with Concord Acquisition, pushing back the termination date to as late as Jan. 31, 2023.

By Robin Bradley • Feb. 18, 2022

Coinbase muscles in on popular remittance corridor

The company is partnering with Remitly to let users in Mexico cash out crypto transfers in pesos — a service that will be free through March.

By Robin Bradley • Feb. 16, 2022

Crypto lender BlockFi to pay $100M to settle with SEC, states

The company agreed to stop selling its interest-bearing account in the U.S. and launch a new one tailored to the Securities Act of 1933. Half of the settlement money will go to the SEC. The other $50 million will be split among 32 states.

By Dan Ennis • Feb. 14, 2022

CFTC chief eyes greater authority in crypto oversight

CFTC Chair Rostin Behnam asked a Senate panel for an extra $100 million and the authority to police the cash market for digital assets, in addition to its traditional role overseeing derivatives.

By Robin Bradley • Feb. 10, 2022

Fees make customers twice as likely to switch banks, study finds

Moving "from a punitive, carrot-and-stick approach suggests that retail banks are recognizing [they must] evolve beyond service provider [to] more of a hub of financial advice and guidance," J.D. Power researchers wrote.

By Robin Bradley • Feb. 1, 2022

Revolut to offer 30-minute, fee-free remittances from US to Mexico

Remittances sent from the U.S. to Mexico increased by 37.7% between November 2020 and 2021, according to research published by BBVA.

By Robin Bradley • Jan. 31, 2022

Diem to end crypto project, sell its assets to Silvergate Bank for $182M

The California bank said Monday it intends to launch a stablecoin this year using the assets it acquired in the deal.

By Dan Ennis • Updated Feb. 1, 2022

H&R Block launches challenger bank Spruce

The tax-preparation company last March teased its desire to offer digital checking and savings accounts. Spruce marks H&R Block's second foray into banking after it surrendered its charter in 2015.

By Robin Bradley • Jan. 21, 2022