Coinbase has signed a strategic partnership with PNC Bank, the seventh-largest bank in the United States, to allow more than 9 million customers to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies directly through their PNC accounts. The deal marks a major step in bringing digital assets closer to everyday banking experiences and bridging the gap between traditional finance and crypto.
Under the partnership, PNC customers can manage digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum from within the bank’s existing online platforms. This includes real-time trading, fiat conversion, and secure custodial storage, all powered by Coinbase’s backend infrastructure. For Coinbase, it represents a continued push into institutional services, positioning the platform as a backbone for traditional financial institutions entering the crypto space.
PNC Financial Services Group, based in Pittsburgh, is a major U.S. bank holding company. Its subsidiary, PNC Bank, operates across 27 states and D.C., with 2,629 branches and 9,523 ATMs. It ranks among the largest U.S. banks by assets, branches, deposits, and ATMs.
PNC’s decision reflects a broader shift across the banking sector. The once cautious institution is now leaning into digital finance to stay competitive, especially among younger consumers who expect direct access to crypto alongside traditional financial products.
By bringing cryptocurrency services directly into PNC’s digital banking environment, the two firms are setting a precedent for how legacy banks can evolve. As interest in digital assets continues to grow, this model could spark a new wave of bank–crypto partnerships across the U.S. and beyond.
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