Bitcoin is moving into mainstream banking in small, steady steps. As traditional banks test ways to hold, trade or lend Bitcoin, what once seemed impossible is becoming commonplace. According to the report, many of the largest U.S. banks are now planning for real-world customer service.
60% of Top Banks Ready for Bitcoin Products: Kang Research
A study conducted by Bitcoin financial services company River found that about 60% of the top 25 U.S. banks are at some stage of building Bitcoin services, from custody to trading to customer-facing products. These changes aren’t just talk. This appears in the board plans and pilot projects of several large lenders.
Banks moving from caution to action
For years, many banks kept their distance. But that changed quickly, with clearer rules and large exchange-traded funds putting Bitcoin on the more mainstream radar. The approval of spot ETFs and increased demand from large investors have forced banks to reexamine their positions and test practical and compliant ways to serve clients interested in digital assets.
60% of the top U.S. banks use Bitcoin. pic.twitter.com/AqceDDfjDP
— River (@River) January 26, 2026
Some major names have already signed up for pilot projects or new services. According to reports, JPMorgan Chase is exploring cryptocurrency trading, Wells Fargo has launched a credit and custody connectivity service to institutional clients, and Citigroup is exploring custody and payments involving tokenized assets. This move marks a transition from theory to a product that customers can use.
How this changes the customer picture
Customers can more easily access Bitcoin without a separate cryptocurrency account. This means investors can view Bitcoin as just another line on their bank statement, with storage and reporting features included in the services they already use. Rather than doing all the technical work themselves, some banks plan to work with experts to focus squarely on risk and compliance.
The role of regulation, risk and policy
Regulatory action earlier this year reopened an option that had been closed when strict capital rules made storage expensive. According to the report, the change in guidance has helped some banks resume or reconsider their custody services, and the current political climate under US President Donald Trump has been described as more favorable for widespread cryptocurrency adoption. These changes are forcing banks to take action where they had previously hesitated.
We expect more pilot announcements and slow rollout of services for client products. Not all banks move at the same pace. Some will move cautiously, some will move faster. The real test is whether the bank can provide safe custody, clear accounting, and easy reporting without taking on too much risk.
Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView
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