Bank of America becomes last US SIFI to make crypto push

The bank formed a team to research digital assets and related technology, but BofA's relative emphasis on the retail side and lack of well-publicized gaffes may leave it less dependent on a new stream.

By Dan Ennis • July 9, 2021

Binance.US hires ex-leader of California's 'mini-CFPB'

Manny Alvarez, who left the state's Department of Financial Protection and Innovation last month, will oversee risk, compliance and legal under former Acting Comptroller Brian Brooks.

By Dan Ennis • July 7, 2021

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

Quarles: Fed-backed digital currency poses 'significant' risks, 'unclear' benefits

His comments Monday, in which he compares cryptocurrencies to parachute pants, show the central bank is far from unified on digital dollar development.

By Dan Ennis • June 29, 2021

British regulator warns Binance to halt UK activity

Twitter, meanwhile, has seen complaints from Binance customers who said they were prevented from withdrawing pounds using the U.K.'s Faster Payments system.

By Dan Ennis • Updated July 9, 2021

Citi launches digital assets unit, confirming crypto plans

The bank becomes the second U.S.-based SIFI, after State Street, to form a crypto-centered business this month — at a time when central banks are casting doubt over the tokens' volatility.

By Dan Ennis • June 25, 2021

BIS report shows growing divide on crypto

Central banks strike a second blow against digital tokens. Stablecoins, too, this time. The dissonance between market and government may come down to timing, or an age-old pattern concerning risk.

By Dan Ennis • June 24, 2021

Fiserv partners with NYDIG to offer Bitcoin services

The deal comes a month after NYDIG inked a Bitcoin services agreement with fellow payments processor FIS, and as big banks broaden their offerings surrounding cryptocurrency.

By Vaidik Trivedi • June 23, 2021

Basel suggests clamping down on crypto as State Street rolls out digital-asset unit

The panel recommended the highest possible risk weighting — 1,250% — be applied to a bank's exposure to Bitcoin and some other digital tokens.

By Dan Ennis • June 10, 2021

OCC will revisit crypto charters, interpretive letters, acting chief says

Michael Hsu has said he will review the regulator's past actions regarding cryptocurrency activities and crypto firm charters, adding, "everything's on the table."

By Anna Hrushka • June 3, 2021

Crypto exchange Kraken launches mobile app in US

Customers can buy and sell more than 50 crypto tokens from their mobile phones with a starting investment of as little as $10. The services are not available for residents of New York or Washington state.

By Dan Ennis • June 3, 2021

Neobank Paybby to bring crypto investing to Black and Brown communities

"It's a great new investment class, and the people of our community should have access to this investment class just like anybody else," CEO Hassan Miah said.

By Anna Hrushka • May 25, 2021

Wells Fargo to offer crypto investment product for wealthy clients

The bank's decision to wade into crypto follows similar moves made by other large institutions, and comes as the nation's top bank regulator has indicated it plans to review past crypto-friendly actions.

By Anna Hrushka • May 20, 2021

Figure's journey with the SEC proves itself the anti-Ripple

Citi's court battle and Diem's narrowed ambitions may lend credence to Ripple's argument that authorities pick winners and losers, but Diem could now be trying the Figure approach.

By Dan Ennis • May 14, 2021

Facebook-backed Diem withdraws Finma application, shifts to US

Diem Networks U.S. will register as a money services business with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, and Silvergate Bank will become the exclusive issuer of Diem's dollar-backed stablecoin.

By Anna Hrushka • May 13, 2021

Square's Bitcoin revenue soars, eyes lending, Tidal app engagement

After exceeding earnings estimates, Square looks to drive user engagement and individual lending through its CashApp.

By Vaidik Trivedi • May 7, 2021

Cryptocurrency fuels ransomware payments. Without regulation, it could get worse

The rapid ascent of crypto, like other emerging technologies before it, has far outpaced the federal government's ability to regulate it.

By Samantha Schwartz • May 7, 2021

Citi sits on the cusp of a crypto push

The bank, however, won't make any rash decisions on digital asset offerings. "This isn't a space race," Itay Tuchman, Citi's head of global foreign exchange, told the Financial Times. "There is room for more than just one flag."

By Dan Ennis • May 7, 2021

Fed strikes balance between openness, caution toward nonbanks

The central bank issues guidance for fintechs seeking a charter, while its chair advocates for expanding the CRA to encompass all lenders.

By Dan Ennis • May 6, 2021

How Quontic Bank adapts to crypto, remote work and wearable tech

Since purchasing the institution in 2009, CEO Steven Schnall, an entrepreneur and former mortgage banker, has been molding the bank to reflect his vision.

By Anna Hrushka • April 30, 2021

Neobank Current adds crypto to product roadmap after $220M funding boost

"There is a need and a demand for a company like Current to explain and shepherd people into this new world," CEO Stuart Sopp said.

By Anna Hrushka • April 28, 2021

Crypto exchange Binance hires ex-OCC chief Brooks as US CEO

Hiring an executive with intimate knowledge of U.S. regulations presumably would help the exchange, initially based in China, expand its stateside operations without raising red flags.

By Dan Ennis • April 20, 2021

State Street leans ever so slightly into crypto

Through a partnership with U.K.-based Pure Digital, the infrastructure the bank’s Currenex unit uses in foreign exchange will be transposed to the crypto space for a trading platform set to launch in mid-2021.

By Dan Ennis • April 9, 2021

Walmart's trademark filing may offer clues to fintech startup

The litany of services "Hazel by Walmart" intends to provide ranges from credit and debit card payment processing services to financial portfolio analysis, credit repair and restoration and virtual currency transaction processing.

By Dan Ennis • April 8, 2021

Powell reiterates 'no-rush' stance on Fed's digital dollar

Powell insists on Congress's approval before proceeding with a CBDC, but researchers are hoping to unveil prototypes as early as July. Meanwhile, the Senate's new banking panel chair is calling for faster action.

By Dan Ennis • March 23, 2021

Coinbase settles CFTC 'wash trading' probe for $6.5M

The settlement comes as the cryptocurrency exchange is delaying until next month its hotly anticipated IPO, but a CFTC commissioner said the enforcement action is a poor reflection of the regulator's priorities.

By Dan Ennis • March 22, 2021