Bitcoin is moving into mainstream banking in small, steady steps. What once seemed unlikely is becoming commonplace as traditional banks experiment with ways to hold, trade, or lend Bitcoin. According to reports, a significant number of major U.S. banks are currently planning services for physical customers.
60% of major banks are preparing Bitcoin products: River survey
A study conducted by Bitcoin financial services company River shows that about 60% of the top 25 banks in the United States are at some stage of building out Bitcoin services, from custody to trading to customer-facing products. This change is more than just a story. It’s showing up in boardroom plans and pilot projects across several large financial institutions.
Banks move from caution to pragmatic steps
For years, many banks stayed away. But changes came quickly after clearer rules and large exchange-traded funds put Bitcoin on more mainstream radars. The approval of spot ETFs and growing demand from large investors have prompted banks to reconsider their stance and test pragmatic and compliant ways to serve customers interested in digital assets.
60% of major US banks are interested in Bitcoin. pic.twitter.com/AqceDDfjDP
— River (@River) January 26, 2026
Some major companies are already on record for pilot projects and new services. According to reports, JPMorgan Chase & Co. is considering crypto trading, Wells Fargo is rolling out services linked to credit and custody to institutional clients, and Citigroup is considering custody and payments tied to tokenized assets. These moves mark a shift from theory to products that customers can use.
How does this change the client’s situation?
Customers will be able to easily access Bitcoin without the need for a separate crypto account. That means investors could see Bitcoin as another line on their bank statement, with storage and reporting built into the services they already use. Some banks are planning to partner with experts to avoid taking on all the technical work themselves and focus on risk and compliance.
Regulation, risk and the role of policy
Regulatory action earlier this year reopened an option that had been closed due to higher storage costs due to strict capital controls. The report notes that changes in guidance have helped some banks restart or reconsider custodial services, and that the current political climate under US President Donald Trump is said to favor widespread cryptocurrency adoption. These changes are prompting banks to take actions they have previously been hesitant to take.
Further pilot announcements are expected to lead to the gradual introduction of the service into client services. Not all banks move at the same speed. Some remain vigilant, while others act more quickly. The practical test is whether banks can provide secure storage, clear accounting, and easy reporting without taking on undue risk.
Featured images from Pexels, charts from TradingView
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