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Bitcoin is making its way into mainstream banking in small, regular steps. What once seemed unlikely is becoming routine as traditional banks test ways to carry, trade or lend against Bitcoin. A significant slice of the most important U.S. banks at the moment are reportedly planning real customer offerings.
60% of top banks are preparing Bitcoin products: River study
A study conducted by Bitcoin financial services firm River shows that about 60% of the 25 largest U.S. banks are at some stage of constructing Bitcoin services, from custody to trading to customer-facing products. This change isn’t just talk; It appears in board plans and pilot projects from several major lenders.
Banks are moving from caution to practical steps
Many banks kept their distance for years. But change got here quickly after clearer rules and enormous exchange-traded funds brought Bitcoin into the general public eye. Spot ETF approvals and increasing demand from large investors prompted banks to rethink their stance and test practical, compliant ways to serve customers all in favour of digital assets.
60% of leading US banks depend on Bitcoin. pic.twitter.com/AqceDDfjDP
— River (@River) January 26, 2026
Some big names are already on the move with pilot projects or latest services. Reports mention that JPMorgan Chase is considering crypto trading, Wells Fargo has launched credit and custody-linked offerings for institutional clients, and Citigroup is exploring custody and payments related to tokenized assets. These steps signal a shift from theory to products that customers can use.
How this changes the image for patrons
Customers could get easier access to Bitcoin without the necessity for separate crypto accounts. This means an investor might even see Bitcoin as one other line on an announcement, with custody and reporting embedded in services they already use. Some banks plan to work with specialists to avoid having to do all of the technical work themselves and to maintain risk and compliance fully in focus.
BTCUSD is now trading at 87,925. Chart: TradingView
Regulation, risk and the role of politics
Regulatory motion earlier this yr reopened options that were closed when strict capital rules made custody costly. Reports said a change in guidance helped some banks resume or reconsider custody services, and described the present political climate under U.S. President Donald Trump as more favorable to broader cryptocurrency adoption. These changes are causing banks to act where they’d hesitated.
Expect more pilot announcements and a slow rollout of services into customer offerings. Not every bank will move at the identical speed. Some will remain cautious, others will act sooner. The real-world test might be whether banks can offer secure custody, clear accounting and simple reporting without incurring excessive risk.
Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView
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