Key highlights:
- 60% of America’s 25 largest banks now offer Bitcoin services or plan to launch them soon.
- Coinbase CEO says top bank executives call crypto their #1 survival priority.
- 3 of the Big 4 banks (JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, Citigroup) already provide crypto services.
Nearly 60% of the 25 largest U.S. banks have launched Bitcoin-related services or announced plans to do so, according to financial services firm River’s X post. This represents a seismic shift in an industry long skeptical of digital assets.
60% of the top US banks are into bitcoin. pic.twitter.com/AqceDDfjDP
— River (@River) January 26, 2026
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong confirmed banking’s dramatic pivot after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Armstrong shared that most bank executives he met at Davos expressed strong positivity toward cryptocurrencies, viewing them as significant opportunities despite some still needing time to prepare. He highlighted that the head of one of the top 10 global banks had confided that cryptocurrencies represent their number one priority and a matter of survival for their institution.
This transformation carries weight considering American banks’ historical wariness. Regulators alleged many participated in “Operation Choke Point 2.0“, a government initiative allegedly designed to restrict banking services for crypto companies. Davos signals that era has ended.
Swiss banking giant UBS joins crypto services
UBS, the Swiss banking powerhouse also active in U.S. markets, became River’s latest addition. Bloomberg reported Friday that the firm explores Bitcoin and Ethereum trading for its wealthiest clients.
This move by one of global finance’s most conservative institutions underscores crypto’s unstoppable momentum.
Three of Big Four banks already active
The scale becomes clear examining America’s 25 largest financial institutions. Banks now provide diverse services: trading platforms, custody solutions, and Bitcoin-backed lending.
Among the Big Four U.S. banks, three have embraced cryptocurrencies:
- JPMorgan Chase considers cryptocurrency trading expansion
- Wells Fargo offers institutional clients Bitcoin-backed loans
- Citigroup explores institutional custody for digital assets
These institutions control $7.3 trillion in combined assets (Forbes). Such massive firepower validates Bitcoin as a legitimate collateral and investment asset class.
Bank of America, others remain cautious
Bank of America, the fourth Big Four member and America’s second-largest bank with $2.67 trillion in assets hasn’t yet announced crypto plans. Capital One ($694 billion) also remain on the sidelines, per River’s research.
Banks maintain caution toward certain crypto sectors. They remain the most vocal critics of stablecoins, fearing systemic financial risks from dollar-pegged tokens.
Davos signals mindset revolution
Nevertheless, the trajectory proves undeniable. The American banking system gradually accepts cryptocurrencies as inevitable financial evolution. Davos statements reveal transformation beyond products, as the thinking of top managers has fundamentally shifted.
Years of resistance yielded to pragmatic reality: digital assets demand adaptation for competitiveness and survival. From custody to lending, Wall Street infrastructure increasingly supports the Bitcoin ecosystem. While some majors hesitate, the 60% adoption rate among largest institutions establishes irreversible precedent.
Operation Choke 2.0’s alleged restrictions now appear as temporary regulatory theater. Bank executives speaking candidly at Davos confirm what markets sensed: crypto represents the future, not threat. As three Big Four banks deploy services managing trillions, remaining holdouts face mounting competitive pressure.
Source:: 60% Of America's Biggest Banks Are Engaging with Bitcoin