Top 10 Crypto-Friendly Banks Around the Globe in 2025

Why Crypto-Friendly Banks Matter

The financial world is split in two. On one side, you have the traditional banking system we all use for paychecks and mortgages. On the other, the fast-moving world of crypto. For a long time, the wall between them has created friction for everyone, whether you're an individual trying to buy your first Bitcoin or a business trying to accept a global payment.

This is exactly why cryptocurrency friendly banks are so important today. They are demolishing that wall, building the bridges that connect these two economies. For an individual, that means you can finally buy some crypto without worrying if your bank will suddenly block the transaction. For a business, it means you have the tools to actually use digital currency—whether that’s paying a supplier overseas or tapping into a new customer base. At the end of the day, seeing a real, regulated bank step into this world brings a sense of stability. It’s a clear signal that crypto is moving out of the fringes and becoming a normal part of how we all handle our money.

Key Considerations for Choosing a Crypto-Friendly Bank

Choosing the right bank for your crypto isn't a small decision—it’s the difference between smooth sailing and having your funds unexpectedly frozen. Whether you're a business managing treasury or an individual making your first investment, you need a partner who actually understands this space.

First, look at their license and regulation. Before you commit, check if they're properly licensed by a reputable country. This isn't just boring legal stuff—it's the one thing that protects you if they suddenly freeze your account or disappear with your money.

After that, see how it actually feels to use. For most of us, that just means an app that isn't confusing and lets you move money easily. If you're running a business, you'll need more power: think API access to automate your payments and good invoicing tools.

Don't forget the fees. Some banks hit you with high charges for every crypto transaction, while others have more transparent, flat-rate plans. Dig into their fee schedule and figure out what you'll actually be paying.

Finally, and most importantly, is their security. Don't just trust their marketing. A serious bank can tell you exactly how they protect your assets—whether that’s through insured cold storage, advanced tech like MPC, or other modern safeguards. Vague answers on security are a huge red flag.

Highlights:

• Security First: Prioritize insured cold storage and MPC.
• Regulation is Non-Negotiable: A proper license protects you.
• Know the Fee Structure: Look beyond the marketing for hidden costs.
• Business Needs APIs: Ensure the bank offers tools for automation.
• Not All "Friendly" is Equal: Some hold crypto, others just facilitate transfers.

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management

A company's approach to compliance tells you everything about how serious they are. Whether you're managing corporate funds or taking crypto payments from customers, you need to work with a partner who understands the rules inside and out. It's non-negotiable, because it’s your business on the line.

KYC and AML checks might seem tedious, but they’re actually a positive signal. They show that the provider is filtering out bad actors, maintaining system integrity, and safeguarding your funds. The same goes for tight risk controls. If a platform declines a questionable transaction or doesn’t rush to support the latest trending token, that’s not resistance—it’s resilience.

Because in crypto, being "friendly" means nothing if you're not also compliant. Before trusting any provider, ask the only question that matters: how seriously do they take compliance? The right answer tells you they’re built to last.

Services, Fees, and Accessibility

What truly separates a strong crypto bank from a weak one comes down to the fundamentals. You need to see real functionality, completely transparent pricing, and a genuinely smooth user experience.

On the surface, that means an intuitive platform where managing crypto feels seamless. But for a business, a polished interface isn't enough—you need real substance. We're talking about automated payments via API, seamless fiat on/off ramps, and tools that make cross-border transactions efficient. That’s how you know you're working with a business-grade solution, not just another app.

As for fees, ignore the “zero-commission” noise. Real providers earn through clear models: transaction fees, fiat conversion costs, and spreads. What matters isn’t just how they charge, it’s how openly they explain it. If the fee structure isn’t front and center, it’s a red flag.

And finally, usability isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. Onboarding should be smooth. The interface should make sense. And support should actually support you. In crypto finance, friction is the enemy. The best platforms make managing your assets fast, clean, and predictable.

Security Features

Basic stuff like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is just the ticket to the game, not the main event. A serious bank operates in layers.

At the core is how they handle custody. The gold standard starts with keeping the bulk of assets in insured cold storage—offline and out of reach from hackers. This should be locked down with multi-signature (multi-sig) protocols, meaning it takes several people to approve any movement of funds. But the top-tier players go further, using advanced tech like:

• Multi-Party Computation (MPC): This technology chops up a private key and spreads the pieces out. It’s a clever way to ensure no single person or device holds the entire key, basically eliminating any single point of failure.
• Trusted Execution Environments (TEE): Think of this as a digital black box inside the computer's hardware. It’s a completely isolated space where transactions get signed, shielded from any potential malware crawling on the main system.

Once you've confirmed how they guard the vault, check their homework. A reputable bank will proudly show you their SOC 2 Type II compliance certificate, which is a big deal because it means they’ve passed a tough, long-term security audit. They should also be able to prove they conduct regular Proof-of-Reserves (PoR) audits to show that your money is actually there and held 1:1.

Finally, a bank that can’t clearly explain how they handle global compliance rules, like the FATF’s Travel Rule for anti-money laundering, isn’t just unprepared—they're a risk you can't afford to take.

The Shortlist

• Core Custody: Assets must be primarily in insured cold storage and require multi-signature (multi-sig) approval to be moved.
• Advanced Tech: Top-tier firms use Multi-Party Computation (MPC) to split keys and Trusted Execution Environments (TEE) to securely sign transactions.
• Third-Party Audits: Demand to see a SOC 2 Type II security certificate and regular Proof-of-Reserves (PoR) audits.
• Global Compliance: They must have a clear strategy for regulations like the anti-money laundering FATF Travel Rule. No clear plan is a major red flag.

Revolut

Revolut, the UK-based fintech heavyweight, has solidified its position as one of the most crypto-forward banks that accept cryptocurrency deposits.

2025 is the year Revolut is finally growing up. With over 52.5 million users and a valuation north of $45 billion, it has shed its simple "neobank" label. It's now an all-in-one financial super app that combines traditional banking, payments, and crypto services.

This year has been huge for them. They finally landed their UK banking license and are getting ready to operate as a proper bank here. Simultaneously, they're going big on crypto across the EU, running things out of a new hub in Cyprus to meet all the MiCA regulations. It's no surprise their crypto user base is exploding, given how simple they make it to trade in real-time or manage different investments.

Notably, Revolut’s crypto division — part of its “Wealth” business unit — has become a major revenue driver. In 2024, the company reported a 149% year-over-year profit jump, and crypto products played a huge role in that growth. It’s also beefing up security, rolling out Revolut Pay with anti-fraud measures tailored for crypto — already reducing fraud attempts by nearly 50% during pilot tests.

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Revolut Crypto Offerings

Revolut supports over 130 digital assets, including BTC, ETH, USDT, and more. Users can buy, sell, and hold crypto directly through the app, and send or receive assets via external wallets — though with certain limitations depending on the asset and region.

Crypto access is tiered by subscription level:

• Standard (Free)
• Plus (£3.99/month)
• Premium (£7.99/month)
• Metal (£14.99/month)
• Ultra (£45/month – intro offer)

Premium and Metal users enjoy reduced fees of 0.99% per transaction, while Standard and Plus users pay 1.49%. Most tiers also offer perks like disposable virtual cards, enhanced customer support, and crypto price alerts.

For everyday users, Revolut is one of the most accessible on-ramps into crypto — especially in the UK and Europe. However, it's important to note that some trades are still derivative-based, meaning you don't always hold the underlying asset unless withdrawn to a wallet.

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Revolut Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Supports over 130 cryptocurrencies
• Clean, intuitive app with integrated fiat and crypto tools
• Cold storage custody and growing fraud protections (via Revolut Pay)
• Now a licensed UK bank with expanding European crypto services

Cons:

• High fees for non-premium users
• Some crypto assets are held as derivatives, not actual tokens
• Wallet withdrawals still restricted to select assets
• No insurance on crypto holdings

Kinexys by JP Morgan Chase

JPMorgan's rebrand of its Onyx division to Kinexys is a clear signal: the bank is done experimenting with blockchain and is now making a serious play for the future of finance.

A key move in 2025 is the rollout of on-chain FX settlement for dollars and euros. This is a huge deal because it replaces the slow, traditional 9-to-5 system with one that clears international payments instantly, 24/7. This isn't a small-scale pilot, either. Kinexys is already processing up to $2 billion a day and has handled over $1.5 trillion in value for giants like BlackRock, Siemens, and Ant International—a massive vote of confidence from the institutional world.

The long-term vision is to bring blockchain to the heart of payments and tokenized assets. But they're also making a play for the everyday consumer. The partnership with Coinbase, announced in July, will soon let Chase cardholders buy crypto directly and even use their credit card rewards as USDC, bridging the gap between traditional and digital money.

JPMorgan (Kinexys) Crypto Offerings

Kinexys stands at the forefront of blockchain innovation within traditional banking. The shift from Onyx signals a pivot from concept to execution, delivering programmable, near-instant FX settlement and on-premise tokenization solutions tailored for global institutions.

• On‑chain FX: Real-time USD/EUR settlement around the clock, laying the groundwork for broader multicurrency support.
• Tokenization Engine: From intraday repo operations to global payment rails, Kinexys supports both fiat and real-world asset flows on-chain.
• Labs POC: Pilots in identity, privacy, and composability anchor Kinexys’s long-term ambition.

On the retail front, partnerships like the one with Coinbase provide new crypto entry points to mainstream users — beginning with card-linked purchases and eventual USDC reward redemptions via Chase.

JPMorgan (Kinexys) Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Spearheaded institutional blockchain integration for real-world assets and payments
• On‑chain FX and multicurrency settlement slated for live deployment in 2025
• Trusted by global names like BlackRock, Siemens, and Ant International
• Forward-looking roadmap: identity, privacy, and composability on-chain
• Retail outreach via Coinbase-Chase partnership provides new on-ramps for crypto users

Cons:

• Corporate-grade deployment means solutions remain out of reach for average consumers
• Kinexys updates have a strategic pace; rollout requires patience
• Not a consumer crypto wallet — most features demand institutional engagement

Cash App

The idea that Cash App is just for splitting dinner bills is years out of date. Here in 2025, Block's app has quietly become a financial empire, pulling in over $16 billion in annual revenue while acting as the primary bank for millions of its users.

Its quiet dominance in the Bitcoin space is a key driver of this growth. Just look at the numbers from early this year: people bought over $4 billion in Bitcoin on the app in a single quarter. It’s become the default entry point for a whole new wave of investors. That Bitcoin focus is the hook that also gets people to use it as their bank. The magic is that your debit card and direct deposits live right next to your Bitcoin wallet, which is why over 8 million people now bank with them.

Cash App Crypto Offerings

By choosing to focus only on Bitcoin, Cash App has carved out a powerful niche that legacy banks have struggled to match.

• Minimum Investment: Users can get started with as little as $1.
• Fees: Around 1.75%, baked into the spread, with no separate trading fee listed.
• Withdrawals: Users can transfer Bitcoin to external wallets, including cold storage. Full custody transfers are available on-chain.
• Security: Cash App handles private key management, with added layers of security like 2FA and device verification.
• Coming soon: Lightning Network support is in the works, aiming to cut fees and speed up small Bitcoin transactions.

Though its asset selection is narrow, Cash App’s simplicity is what makes it one of the most widely used crypto apps in the U.S.

Pros:

• Seamless Bitcoin access for beginners
• Direct withdrawals to external wallets
• Expanding global availability (12 new regions in 2025)
• Integrated banking features, including savings and debit cards

Cons:

• Only supports Bitcoin — no altcoins or stablecoins
• Fees are relatively high and not clearly disclosed
• No insurance for crypto holdings
• Regulatory issues, such as a recent $12.5M class-action spam lawsuit, hint at operational gaps

Anchorage Digital

Back in 2021, it did something no other crypto company had done: it got a federal banking charter from the OCC. That move instantly made it one of the only truly regulated players for big institutions wanting to get into digital assets.Don't mistake this for a consumer neobank; Anchorage deals exclusively with the heavy hitters. Here in 2025, it's the trusted partner for government agencies like the U.S. Department of Justice, financial giants like Visa, and major asset managers who need bulletproof security and compliance.

Anchorage Crypto Offerings

Anchorage gives its institutional clients a toolkit built for serious capital. This includes:

• Qualified Custody: Securely holding over 100 different digital assets, from Bitcoin to tokenized securities.
• Direct DeFi Access: Providing a secure gateway for clients to participate in staking, voting, and on-chain governance without assets ever leaving custody.
• Institutional Trading & Token Services: Executing large trades and managing the entire lifecycle of digital assets, including NFTs and treasury management.
  
  All of this is wrapped in the layers of security you'd expect from a federally regulated bank, from MPC and biometrics to constant monitoring under the OCC's watchful eye.

Anchorage Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Unmatched Regulatory Status: It's the only crypto-native bank with a U.S. federal charter, putting it in a class of its own for compliance.
• Built for Big Players: Every tool, from custody to staking, is designed specifically for the security and operational needs of large, professional firms.
• Proven Trust: It's the chosen custodian for the U.S. Government and other major financial players, which speaks volumes.
• A Single, Secure Platform: It offers one place to manage all digital asset operations, from simple storage to complex DeFi participation.

Cons:

• Not available to retail customers; institutional onboarding only.
• No fiat banking services like cards or personal checking accounts.
• High operational minimums and limited public-facing features.

Wirex

Wirex is a digital banking platform that’s all about making crypto spendable in the real world. It's not just another wallet; it’s a full-fledged system that’s gaining serious recognition, including winning Best Digital Banking Platform at the 2025 FinTech Breakthrough Awards.

With over 6 million users globally, Wirex is expanding aggressively. It recently set up its European crypto hub in Milan, securing the licenses needed to operate across the EEA. This is a platform that’s playing the long game by working with regulators, not against them.

Wirex Crypto Offerings

Don't think of Wirex as a typical crypto exchange. It’s more like a supercharged bank account that handles both your regular money (16 fiat currencies) and over 200 different cryptocurrencies. Its standout feature is the Wirex card (Visa or Mastercard), which lets you spend your crypto and cash directly anywhere cards are accepted.

The perks are a major draw. You can get up to 2% back in their WXT token on purchases, and the "X-Accounts" feature lets you earn up to 16% APY on certain crypto and fiat balances.

This year, Wirex also launched Wirex Business, a dedicated banking platform for Web3 companies. It provides self-custody accounts, instant stablecoin conversions, and even Visa cards for payroll, all designed for decentralized businesses.

Wirex Pros and Cons

Pros:

• It’s an award-winning platform, officially recognized as one of the best digital banking solutions in 2025.
• You can manage and spend both crypto and fiat from a single app with a card that works anywhere.
• The rewards are compelling, offering high-yield savings accounts and crypto cashback on spending.
• The Wirex Business account is a powerful, purpose-built tool for Web3 companies.

Cons:

• Hardcore traders will find the selection of cryptocurrencies limited compared to a dedicated exchange.
• The best rewards are tied to holding their native WXT token, adding an extra layer of volatility and risk.
• As a highly regulated company, its expansion and features can be slowed down by complex compliance hurdles.
• Some users report that customer support can be slow to respond.

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Quontic

Based out of New York, Quontic is a small digital bank that consistently makes headlines with its creative and sometimes strange ideas. While other banks are playing catch-up, Quontic is experimenting with the future. In 2025, it continues to lean into its reputation as an innovator by offering things like a Bitcoin rewards checking account, a debit card you can wear on your finger, and even a bank branch in the Metaverse.

Quontic Crypto Offerings

Quontic’s main draw for crypto fans is its Bitcoin Rewards Checking account. The concept is

simple: you use your debit card for purchases and earn 1.5% back in Bitcoin. The crypto side is handled securely by custodian NYDIG, so it's a straightforward way to stack sats without much effort.

But the bank is also known for its more experimental side. They launched a payment ring that lets you tap-to-pay and even opened a virtual outpost in the Decentraland metaverse. Quontic seems less interested in being a full-service crypto bank and more focused on completely reimagining how we interact with our money.

Quontic Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Simple Bitcoin Rewards: Earning 1.5% back in BTC just by swiping your debit card is a dead-simple value proposition.
• Truly Innovative: Quontic is constantly experimenting with new ideas, testing everything from wearable payment rings to virtual reality bank branches.
• Award-Winning: Their approach earned them the title of "Most Innovative Online Bank" from Money magazine.

Cons:

• Bitcoin Only: The crypto rewards are strictly for Bitcoin. If you’re interested in ETH or anything else, this isn't for you.
• Limited Availability: The bank isn’t available in all U.S. states, and its reach remains limited.
• Experimental Risks: Many of its coolest features are pilots. While innovative, things like the Metaverse branch might not be long-term, fully-supported products.

Mercury

Mercury has carved out a powerful niche as the default bank for tech startups, especially those in the Web3 space. It's not a small operation anymore—the company locked in a $300 million funding round in early 2025, pushing its valuation to a hefty $3.5 billion and hitting $500 million in annual revenue.

It’s also been navigating some choppy waters. After its former partner bank, Evolve Bank & Trust, was hit with a data breach in 2024, Mercury has been proactively moving its accounts to more stable, FDIC-insured partners like Column N.A. That switch-over is on track to be finished by the end of the year.

Mercury Crypto Offerings

Let’s be clear: You can't buy or hold crypto with Mercury. Its real value is that it provides clean, fast financial "rails" that connect your business to the crypto world without the usual headaches. This means you can wire money to an exchange like Coinbase and have it show up instantly without paying any fees. If you're a startup that's constantly moving between cash and crypto, that kind of speed and simplicity is a game-changer.

Mercury Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Built for Web3: It’s designed from the ground up to work smoothly with crypto exchanges.
• Founder-Friendly Terms: You get fee-free business checking and up to $5 million in FDIC insurance through its network of partner banks.
• Growing Toolkit: It’s constantly adding useful business tools for things like invoicing and bill pay.
• Strong Reputation: The company is well-funded and trusted by thousands of other startup founders.

Cons:

• It’s not a crypto wallet. You can't trade, stake, or store crypto directly on the platform.
• Partner-Dependent: Its features are tied to the rules of its partner banks, which could change.
• Third-Party Risk: The Evolve Bank breach was a reminder that its infrastructure depends on the security of others.

Monzo

Monzo, the UK digital bank famous for its hot coral cards, is officially a grown-up. The company just posted its first-ever full-year profit, bringing in nearly £95 million on £1.2 billion in revenue. With 2.4 million new customers joining in 2025 alone, it's shedding its "startup" image and becoming a serious player in mainstream banking.

Monzo Crypto Offerings

Monzo's approach to crypto is simple: they won't sell it to you, but they won't stop you from buying it elsewhere. This is a huge deal in the UK, where many traditional banks block crypto transactions.

• You can easily send British pounds to FCA-regulated exchanges like Coinbase, Kraken, and eToro.
• There's a £5,000 rolling 30-day limit on transfers to crypto platforms, a measure designed to protect customers from fraud.
• While Monzo is crypto-friendly, it will occasionally block transfers to exchanges or services its security system flags as high-risk.

Monzo Pros and Cons

Pros:

• It’s one of the few big UK banks that doesn’t block you from sending money to major, regulated crypto exchanges.
• Monzo is now profitable and attracting millions of new users, so you know you're with a secure and expanding institution.
• The app goes way beyond basic banking, with genuinely great features for budgeting, saving, and even pension planning.
• It's incredibly popular for a reason, with a strong reputation earned mostly through happy customers, not expensive ads.

Cons:

• You cannot buy, sell, or hold crypto directly within the Monzo app. You must use a third-party exchange.
• The £5,000 monthly crypto transfer limit will be a major drawback for high-volume traders.
• Your transfers can still be unexpectedly blocked if Monzo's risk system flags an issue.
• Its international presence is still developing; it remains primarily a UK-focused bank for now.

Ally Bank

Ally Bank, a digital-only U.S. institution, its approach to cryptocurrency is a good example of how a major American digital bank is handling the space. Instead of offering direct crypto trading, Ally acts as a reliable gateway for its U.S. clients. Their customers can easily link accounts to fund major exchanges like Coinbase, and for those who prefer traditional investing, the Ally Invest platform offers products like crypto ETFs and trusts.

This strategy allows them to provide access to the crypto world without taking on the regulatory burden of being a direct exchange, striking a balance that many U.S. banks are aiming for.

Ally Bank Crypto Offerings

You have two main options. First, you can easily link your Ally account to fund major exchanges like Coinbase using transfers or your debit card. Second, if you'd rather invest in crypto without the hassle of managing wallets and keys, their Ally Invest platform is the answer. It lets you buy into crypto-related funds, ETFs, and trusts, giving you exposure to the market through traditional investment tools. It's a smart balance for anyone who wants a foot in the crypto door without leaving the security of a well-regarded digital bank.

Ally Bank Pros and Cons

Pros:

• It’s a well-respected, crypto-friendly bank that won't block you from sending your money to major exchanges.
• Ally Invest lets you get exposure to crypto by buying funds and ETFs, which is perfect if you don't want to manage your own coins.
• Beyond its crypto features, it's known for being a top-tier digital bank with excellent savings rates, low fees, and a user-friendly platform.

Cons:

• No direct support for buying, selling, or storing actual crypto coins.
• Lacks in-app wallet, native crypto trading, or custody services.
• Investing primarily through vehicles like ETFs and trusts—exposure is indirect and may involve management fees.

Best Crypto-Friendly Banks by Region

Finding a bank that works well with crypto can feel completely different depending on where you are in the world. Here in Europe, regulations like MiCA have created a clearer path for some banks, but that's a stark contrast to the scene in the U.S. or parts of Asia, where the rules can be a confusing patchwork.

It all comes down to local regulations and how willing traditional banks are to adapt. You've got a clear divide in the banking world right now. On one side, there are progressive banks building out regulated crypto services. On the other, you have traditional banks that still see it as a gamble and might flag your account just for sending money to an exchange.

This makes picking the right bank absolutely critical, both for individuals who want to invest without hassle and for businesses that need operational certainty.

So, let’s dive into the key players, starting with the best options by regions.

United States

In the U.S., crypto banking has become more fragmented following regulatory crackdowns and the collapse of key service providers like Silvergate and Signature. Yet several institutions have stepped in to fill the void — often from fintech or regional banking origins.

Banks like JPMorgan (via Kinexys) are leading institutional innovation, piloting on-chain FX settlements and tokenized real-world assets. Mercury, though not offering crypto custody, remains a favorite for startups because of its fiat-friendly integrations with exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken.

Ally Bank and Customers Bank have earned recognition for accommodating crypto-related transfers, particularly for clients who rely on banking rails for investment access. Meanwhile, Evolve Bank & Trust, once a major player in fintech infrastructure, suffered reputational damage from a 2024 data breach — prompting firm like Mercury to transition accounts elsewhere.

Highlights:

• JPMorgan/Kinexys: Leading institutional blockchain adoption.
• Mercury: Clean fiat-to-crypto workflows for startups.
• Ally: Consumer-friendly support for crypto-related payments.
• Customers Bank: Offers real-time payment rails and banking APIs to crypto platforms.

The U.S. remains a leader in crypto infrastructure, but user experience still depends heavily on bank-by-bank policies — and the evolving stance of regulators like the SEC and OCC.

Europe

Europe has emerged as the most structurally progressive region for crypto-friendly banking. What sets it apart isn’t just the number of banks embracing digital assets, but the regulatory clarity that makes those services scalable. The EU’s MiCA framework, which took effect in 2024, laid the groundwork for unified licensing, allowing banks to offer custody, trading, and tokenized asset services with far less legal ambiguity.

Institutions like SEBA Bank in Switzerland and SolarisBank in Germany have capitalized on this head start. SEBA was one of the first fully licensed banks to provide integrated crypto custody and staking, while SolarisBank enables crypto firms to build compliant financial products via its API banking-as-a-service model. Liechtenstein’s Bank Frick offers secure cold storage and direct investment in digital assets — a rare combination under full regulatory oversight.

Meanwhile, up-and-coming players like Januar in Denmark specialize in crypto payments and banking infrastructure for blockchain companies, and Clear Junction provides multi-currency banking rails for crypto platforms across Europe and Asia. These banks aren’t just accepting crypto—they’re building the infrastructure that powers its integration into regulated financial systems.

Transparency, flexibility, and a strong legal foundation have made Europe the gold standard for crypto-native and traditional financial institutions alike. For international clients looking to operate across borders, the region offers rare regulatory confidence — and plenty of choice.

United Kingdom

The UK’s banking scene sits on a kind of fence when it comes to crypto. On one side, you’ve got digital-first players like Revolut and Monzo pushing the envelope. On the other, traditional banks—Lloyds, HSBC, NatWest—are still keeping crypto at arm’s length.

Revolut leads the charge. It’s one of the few banks where you can actually buy and sell crypto in-app—over 130 tokens at last count—and as of 2025, it holds a full UK banking licence. That gives it a level of flexibility most fintechs don’t have. It’s basically a crypto exchange and a high-street bank rolled into one.

Monzo takes a different route. It doesn’t offer crypto trading, but it doesn’t block it either. You can send money to exchanges like Coinbase or eToro via bank transfer or Faster Payments. Just know there’s a £5,000 rolling 30-day cap for those transactions—part of Monzo’s fraud protection system.

Traditional banks? Still skeptical. Some block payments to certain platforms altogether, and others place temporary holds on outbound transfers. It’s not anti-crypto per se—just extremely cautious, and often vague.

Highlights:

• Revolut: Crypto-trading built-in, full banking licence (2025), 130+ assets supported.
• Monzo: No trading, but allows smooth payments to regulated crypto exchanges.
• Lloyds / HSBC / NatWest: Frequently block or delay crypto-related transfers.
• Business accounts: Still tricky—some fintechs offer crypto-friendly options, but traditional banks are slow to follow.
• Regulation: Balanced—UK wants innovation but isn’t rushing to deregulate.

Asia‑Pacific

While Europe is taking a steady, regulated path, many parts of the Asia-Pacific region are way ahead in blending crypto with traditional banking. This is largely because major banks and forward-thinking regulators decided to jump in early.

A great example is what Standard Chartered is doing in Singapore. They've partnered with big names in tech and gaming like Animoca Brands and HKT to launch a new stablecoin pegged to the Hong Kong dollar.

The project is still working to get the green light from Hong Kong's regulators, but the goal is clear: use blockchain to make payments faster and cheaper, both within the city and for cross-border transactions. It's a prime example of a legacy bank actively building the future of finance.

Meanwhile, Singapore’s central bank has shown increasing openness to regulated digital currency models—evidenced by pilots of banking-grade token systems and CBDC frameworks in partnership with its banking ecosystem.

In the Philippines, UnionBank remains a standout for its early crypto adoption. It was one of the first in the region to launch its own stablecoin (PHX) and deploy crypto ATMs that allow on-the-spot conversions of digital assets into pesos. Integration with METACO and IBM gave it true digital asset custody capabilities.

In Hong Kong, HashKey Group has made waves as a licensed digital asset provider. Its expansive footprint now includes custody and exchange services for both retail and institutional clients. A recent milestone: it secured regulatory approval in Dubai to support fiat-to-crypto rails in the Middle East.

Lastly, Thailand is testing a unique use case: a pilot called TouristDigiPay lets foreign visitors pay in crypto and merchants receive Thai Baht—without directly handling digital assets. With up to $15 billion in projected tourist activity, it’s a real-world test of seamless crypto-to-fiat conversion.

Global Solutions

While regional banks anchor the local crypto economy, a handful of global providers are building the infrastructure that powers cross-border crypto finance. Names like Fiat Republic and BCB Group have emerged as key enablers for crypto businesses that operate across multiple jurisdictions and currencies.

Fiat Republic, based in London, operates as a sort of middleware layer between banks and crypto platforms. It provides a compliance-first fiat access layer, allowing crypto businesses to open multi-currency IBAN accounts and access real-time payment systems like SEPA and FPS. By 2025, Fiat Republic has established strong links with regulated exchanges and fintechs, providing banking rails for USD, EUR, GBP, and CHF — all under a single API. Its core pitch? Let crypto firms integrate fiat services without the friction of direct banking relationships.

BCB Group, headquartered in the UK and with operations in Switzerland and the EU, serves some of the biggest names in crypto. It supports over 30 digital asset companies and handles billions in institutional crypto settlements each year. Through BLINC — its proprietary real-time payments network — BCB enables instant fiat transfers between crypto clients, exchanges, and liquidity providers across GBP, EUR, and CHF. In 2025, BCB expanded into Asia, with a new Singapore hub targeting institutional demand in the region.

Both companies offer far more than access — they’re building the backbone for institutional crypto payments. In a landscape where many banks are still hesitant to touch crypto, Fiat Republic and BCB Group give exchanges, stablecoin issuers, OTC desks, and Web3 platforms a path to reliable, compliant fiat banking.

Highlights:

• Fiat Republic: Unified API for regulated multi-currency banking — ideal for crypto platforms operating across borders.
• BCB Group: Deep institutional relationships, with instant fiat rails (via BLINC) and expansion into Asia in 2025.
• Use case: Essential for stablecoin issuers, exchanges, and global DeFi projects seeking fiat integration without building internal banking relationships.

Least Crypto-Friendly Banks

Even with clearer regulations like MiCA here in Europe, you'll still find plenty of banks that are hitting the brakes hard when it comes to crypto.

Officially, they’re worried about fraud and breaking strict anti-money laundering laws. But for you as a customer, the result is often the same: frustration. A simple SEPA transfer to a major, regulated exchange can get blocked for no clear reason. In more extreme cases, some people have had their entire accounts frozen just for regular crypto activity.

It shows that some of the biggest names in banking just haven't caught up with the times and are still treating digital assets with a level of suspicion that feels outdated. For now, this means anyone using crypto has to be careful and aware that a perfectly normal transaction could get flagged by an overly cautious security system.

UK (NatWest, Metro Bank, Starling, etc.)

In 2025, some of the UK’s biggest banks continue to take a restrictive stance on crypto. NatWest, Metro Bank, and Starling have placed limits or outright bans on payments to crypto exchanges. Barclays went further, banning all crypto card transactions as of June 2025. These moves, they say, are about protecting customers from fraud and asset volatility. But for users—even those sending funds to FCA-registered platforms—the result is friction, delays, or declined transactions. Many now turn to fintechs like Revolut, which remain more crypto-friendly.

Highlights:

• Barclays: Full crypto ban on cards (June 2025)
• Starling: Maintains near-total ban
• Metro Bank: Blocks crypto-related transfers
• NatWest: Enforces caps and blocks “high-risk” platforms
• User impact: Delays, declined payments—even for legal exchanges

US (Capital One, CitiBank, Goldman Sachs, Barclays, etc.)

The situation for crypto banking in the U.S. is a world away from the clearer, unified regulations we're seeing with MiCA in Europe.

The main issue over there is a messy and conflicting regulatory picture. Instead of one set of rules, you have an "alphabet soup" of different agencies—like the SEC, FinCEN, and OCC—that often don't agree on policy. For big, risk-averse banks, the fear of accidentally breaking a rule from one of these bodies is enough to make them steer clear of crypto almost entirely.

This is why you see major players like Capital One and Citi routinely blocking crypto-related payments, and why a giant like Goldman Sachs will only explore blockchain for its institutional clients, refusing to touch it for everyday customers. For crypto users and businesses in the U.S., this creates a frustrating reality of delayed transfers, denied services, and sudden account closures—a much more uncertain environment than what is developing here in the EU.

The Rise of Crypto-Friendly Banking

It wasn't that long ago that "crypto-friendly banking" just meant finding a bank that wouldn't freeze your account for sending money to an exchange.

With the MiCA regulations now providing a clear rulebook, the game has completely shifted. Major banks are no longer just cautiously watching from the sidelines; they're actively jumping in.

We're now starting to see them offer real crypto services—like securely holding your digital assets for you, building better ways to move cash in and out of exchanges, and even exploring how to turn real-world assets into tokens. For users like us, this means more choice, faster transfers, and a financial world where your traditional bank and your crypto can finally start working together properly.

The Road Ahead: How Crypto-Friendly Banks Will Evolve

Now that the first wave of MiCA-regulated crypto services is here, the next big step is about making everything work together seamlessly, moving beyond just simple access.

The goal is for your main banking app to feel like a single dashboard for all your money—your euros, your crypto, and eventually, even tokenized assets like real estate or stocks. We're already seeing banks build better tools for instant cash-to-crypto conversions and partner with exchanges to bring trading features directly into their own platforms.

The big wildcard, especially for us here in Europe, is the Digital Euro. As the ECB moves forward, traditional banks are positioning themselves to be the main bridge between this new digital currency and our everyday accounts, which will be a massive shift.

To make all this happen, banks are having to overhaul their old tech. The aim is to create a more flexible system that can plug into new blockchain-based payment networks. For us as users, the end result should be a financial system that's faster and more unified, where moving value between traditional money and digital assets feels effortless.

FAQ

What advantages do crypto-friendly banks offer to ordinary users?

Simply put: convenience and trust. Banks that accept crypto act as a secure bridge, letting you use familiar tools like SEPA transfers to move money in and out of the crypto world easily. You get to manage your finances through an app you already know, instead of juggling multiple platforms.

How do banks verify the legality of cryptocurrency transactions?

The banks that accept cryptocurrency use the same strict anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) checks as they do for regular money. They verify who you are and use special software to monitor blockchain activity for any red flags, ensuring everything complies with financial regulations.

What fees are most often charged by crypto-friendly banks?

Watch out for a few common fees: conversion spreads (the difference between the buy and sell price), withdrawal fees for moving your crypto, and sometimes a monthly account fee. The best banks for cryptocurrency are transparent about their costs, but always check for markups in the exchange rate.

Is it possible to open an account with a crypto-friendly bank online?

Yes, absolutely. Nearly all modern crypto-friendly banks let you sign up and get verified entirely online or through their app, often in just a few minutes. Gone are the days of needing to visit a branch.

Which countries offer the best conditions for crypto-friendly banks?

You're in a great spot. Countries with clear regulations are ideal, which is why places like Switzerland, Singapore, and right here in Germany (under the EU's MiCA framework) are considered leaders. The U.K. also has a strong fintech scene that supports crypto innovation.

How safe is it to store cryptocurrency through banking services?

Generally, using banks with crypto wallets is safer than leaving your assets on an unregulated exchange. They offer regulated custody with high-security features. However, it's crucial to check if their insurance covers digital assets—it is not the same as the government-backed deposit guarantees for your euros.

What types of cryptocurrencies do major banks support?

Most banks support cryptocurrency by starting with the big names: Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), along with major stablecoins like USDC. Support for a wider range of altcoins really depends on the bank's specific focus and local regulations.

Is it possible to use bank cards to purchase cryptocurrencies?

Yes, many banks that accept Bitcoin and other assets allow you to use your debit or credit card for purchases. However, this is a bank-by-bank decision. Some still block these transactions due to their own risk policies, so it's always good to check first.

How do banks protect against fraud in crypto transactions?

They use a mix of traditional and modern tools. This includes the usual fraud detection systems you're familiar with, plus advanced blockchain analysis to spot suspicious transaction patterns. Standard features like two-factor authentication (2FA) are also used to protect your account.

Which banks offer low fees for transferring cryptocurrencies?

Fintech-forward banks like Revolut and specialized digital asset banks like Swissquote and SEBA are known for competitive fees. Often, the banks that accept crypto will bundle their fees into the exchange rate, so they can offer lower direct costs for transfers, especially for premium customers.

Does the bank account affect the tax reporting on cryptocurrency?

Yes, and it can make it much easier. Using a dedicated bank account for crypto business or personal investing creates a clean record of all your deposits and withdrawals. This makes calculating your tax obligations much more straightforward. Some banks even offer tools to help.

Is it possible to connect crypto services to traditional bank accounts?

Yes, this is the primary function of a crypto-friendly bank. You can link your traditional account to a bank account for crypto business or personal use, allowing for smooth transfers to and from exchanges, and managing your fiat and crypto finances in one place.

Are there loyalty programs for users of banks' crypto services?

Some are starting to offer them. You might see rewards like cashback paid in crypto, lower trading fees for active users, or special interest rates. These perks are becoming a way for banks to compete for crypto-savvy customers.

Does the bank's rating affect the reliability of crypto storage?

It can be a good indicator. A bank's high rating usually points to strong security, stable operations, and good regulatory standing. This generally means they will have a more robust and trustworthy custody solution for your digital assets.

Is it possible to get insurance for cryptocurrency through a bank?

Some banks that allow cryptocurrency transactions do offer insurance on the assets they hold in custody, but it's usually through a private, third-party insurer. It's important to understand that this is not the same as the government-backed deposit insurance that protects your cash savings.

How do banks protect customer data during cryptocurrency transactions?

They use the same high standards as for all other banking activities. This includes end-to-end encryption, secure APIs, and strict compliance with data protection laws like GDPR here in Europe. Your personal data is heavily protected.

Is it possible to integrate a bank account with a crypto wallet?

Yes, this is becoming very common. You can link your bank account to a wallet to easily buy or sell crypto, or even set up recurring purchases. Banks like Revolut often build these integrations directly into their app.