For bank executives, Bitcoin is existential: 60% of top US banks are mobilizing crypto strategies

The financial world is at a turning point. More than half of the leading US banks have now developed or announced operational Bitcoin strategies — a fundamental shift in perspective that reflects the growing role of digital assets in institutional infrastructure. According to data from the Bitcoin financial services firm River, 60% of the 25 largest US banks have either introduced Bitcoin products or publicly expressed support, including trading services, professional custody, and crypto-based lending solutions. This development marks the end of a years-long period of regulatory uncertainty and shows that traditional finance is now actively consolidating its position in the digital asset market.

Bank Leaders Discover Bitcoin as a Strategic Priority

At the World Economic Forum in Davos (January 2026), a dramatic change in sentiment became evident. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong reported that most bank executives he spoke with no longer oppose cryptocurrencies. “Many of them actually see this as an opportunity,” Armstrong said. A particularly telling detail: the CEO of one of the ten largest banks worldwide told Armstrong that Bitcoin integration is existential for his institution — not as an optional offering, but as a fundamental business strategy. This statement highlights how central Bitcoin has become in the considerations of modern banking leaders.

The shift is remarkable, considering that US banks have long been accused of systematically cutting off crypto companies from financial services — a phenomenon known as “Operation Chokepoint 2.0.” Today, a completely different scenario is emerging.

Big Four Banks Drive Bitcoin Integration

Among the major American financial institutions, three of the so-called Big Four have already taken concrete steps:

JPMorgan Chase is evaluating entry into Bitcoin trading services for institutional clients, positioning itself as a potential market leader in this segment.

Wells Fargo already offers Bitcoin-backed credit products, serving wealthy institutional investors seeking to integrate digital assets into their portfolios.

Citigroup is exploring solutions for secure custody of Bitcoin and other digital assets to provide institutional investors with professional custody services.

Together, these three institutions manage over $7.3 trillion in assets, setting industry standards. UBS, another global player with a significant US presence, is reportedly also evaluating Bitcoin and Ethereum trading for high-net-worth clients — a signal that further accelerates institutional momentum.

Selective Adoption: Stablecoin Skepticism Remains

Despite growing openness toward Bitcoin, traditional banks continue to have significant concerns about other segments of the crypto market. In particular, large financial institutions remain skeptical of profitable stablecoins, as these could potentially compete with bank deposits and money market funds. This selectivity reveals an important differentiation: Bitcoin is increasingly accepted as digital gold and an asset class, while other crypto products face resistance rooted in regulatory and systemic risk concerns.

Latecomers Under Pressure: Bank of America and Others

Not all major players are already moving. Bank of America, the second-largest US bank with over $2.67 trillion in assets under management, has not yet publicly announced formal Bitcoin strategies. Similarly, Capital One (around $694 billion) and Truist Financial (around $536 billion) are taking a wait-and-see approach. However, industry observers warn: as long as these institutions remain cautious, competitive pressure will continue to grow. The bank leaders of the frontrunners are unlikely to give up this competitive advantage — a dynamic that could ultimately force the hesitant to act.

Bitcoin Transforms into Infrastructure

Market data underscores a profound shift: Bitcoin is evolving from a speculative asset into a core financial infrastructure. With established spot Bitcoin ETFs firmly rooted in US markets and custody standards continuously improving, it is now practically and regulatorily feasible for institutional investors to build Bitcoin positions. Banks are positioning themselves to avoid being left behind. As Armstrong observed from Davos, crypto integration is no longer an optional experiment for leading bank executives but an existential strategy — a transformation that will shape the future years of the global financial industry.