Crypto banks set to emerge in 2026 as startups seek full U.S. banking status

In the coming year, crypto will potentially extend its influence on fintech as crypto companies seek to get licensed as national banks in the US market. A long list of crypto startups has lined up for a banking license, creating a crossover between traditional finance and decentralized assets. 

Crypto adoption may resemble fintech in 2026, as companies strive to establish more seamless bridges between traditional finance and decentralized assets. Several prominent crypto startups are lining up to receive a banking license. 

After years of make-do banking connections and often outright hostility from banks, crypto companies have gained a foothold in traditional finance. The fintech approach has driven adoption, in addition to increased stablecoin usage. 

2026 may be the year of crypto banks

Crypto banks are lining up to launch in 2026, with several companies in relatively advanced provisional stages of approval. The companies awaiting licenses will be able to circumvent current commercial banks, which are not always willing to send funds to crypto exchanges. 

Notably, the crypto-focused Erebor bank has received preliminary approval and is expected to be close to launch in 2026. Demand for a crypto-friendly bank increased after the crash of Silicon Valley Bank.

The upcoming wave of banking entities with fintech capabilities follows the more favorable climate for crypto projects. A total of six companies have been conditionally approved for a banking license. Those include: 

• BitGo Holdings
• Circle Internet Group
• Erebor Bank 
• Fidelity Digital Assets
• Paxos Holdings LLC.
• Ripple Labs, Inc.

All of the entities will aim for a National Bank license for the US market. The approval for Coinbase Global is still pending. PayPal and Stripe, which have reopened their door to digital assets, will also seek their own banking license. According to analysts, more approvals are expected in the coming year, after a period of testing and studying the sector. 

‘2025 was a lot of testing of the waters,’ said Phil Goldfeder, chief executive officer of the American Fintech Council.

‘In 2026 you’re going to see a lot of fintech companies, innovative banks and regulators all finally moving in the same direction,’ he said.

Gaining a National Bank status may allow crypto firms to gain direct access to payment facilities like the Automated Clearing House and the Fedwire Fund Service. 

Stablecoins boost the usage of crypto as fintech

The expansion of stablecoins and the potential for fully regulated usage have boosted the potential for crypto mainstream adoption. Stablecoins have proved reliable tools for settlement and cross-border payments. 

In the past year, the US Genius Act opened the door to stablecoin launches for multiple entities. The coming year may see the actual creation of those stablecoins and their competitive attempts with both crypto natives and mainstream users. Credit card issuers Visa and Mastercard have announced their plans for a stablecoin in the coming months. 

Coinbase has prepared for the launch of more stablecoins through its newly introduced white label service, which opens the doors to third parties to generate their own ticker and stablecoin brand. Even Tether has been preparing to relaunch a new asset that is fully compliant with the new US regulations.

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