According to data from River, nearly 60% of the top 25 US banks are now involved in selling, safekeeping, or advising on Bitcoin directly, signaling a shift from their previously cautious stance. This move suggests that crypto is transitioning from a fringe allocation to a routine component within mainstream wealth and custody workflows. The approval of spot ETFs has paved the way for institutional adoption, allowing banks to meet client demand within a familiar framework. Banks are beginning with sophisticated customers and narrow products, with firms like PNC Financial Services Group utilizing Coinbase’s "Crypto-as-a-Service" to offer Bitcoin services without building their own infrastructure. Regulatory clarity, including guidance from the OCC, is also facilitating this integration.

According to data from River, nearly 60% of the top 25 US banks are now involved in selling, safekeeping, or advising on Bitcoin directly, signaling a shift from their previously cautious stance. This move suggests that crypto is transitioning from a fringe allocation to a routine component within mainstream wealth and custody workflows. The approval of spot ETFs has paved the way for institutional adoption, allowing banks to meet client demand within a familiar framework. Banks are beginning with sophisticated customers and narrow products, with firms like PNC Financial Services Group utilizing Coinbase’s "Crypto-as-a-Service" to offer Bitcoin services without building their own infrastructure. Regulatory clarity, including guidance from the OCC, is also facilitating this integration.