PNC Bank Teams Up with Coinbase to Bring Crypto Trading to Clients

Through this collaboration, PNC customers, initially focused on wealth and asset management segments, will soon be able to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum directly from their PNC accounts, eliminating the need to log into external platforms. PNC will access this functionality via Coinbase’s “Crypto-as-a-Service” infrastructure, which supports custody and brokerage capabilities for institutions. In turn, Coinbase will leverage select PNC banking services, a reciprocal arrangement underscoring the symbiotic nature of this partnership.

PNC Chairman and CEO William Demchak emphasized the transformative potential of the agreement. “Partnering with Coinbase accelerates our ability to bring innovative, crypto financial solutions to our clients. This collaboration enables us to meet growing demand for secure and streamlined access to digital assets on PNC’s trusted platform.” The move aligns with evolving demand. PNC reported $421 billion in client assets under management by the end of Q2 2025, placing it firmly among “super regional” banks strategically positioned to challenge national institutions.

The timing reflects a broader shift in U.S. regulatory posture. In recent months, Congress passed legislation establishing a regulatory framework for stablecoins, and the Biden–Trump policy pendulum has swung toward greater institutional adoption. This wave has encouraged heavyweights like JPMorgan Chase, Citi, Bank of America, and Standard Chartered to explore digital assets in earnest.

The partnership will bring several benefits. PNC clients will be able to manage crypto holdings from their trusted banking environment, combining digital asset exposure with conventional account oversight. The collaboration reflects both external demand and a more favorable macro-regulatory environment, positioning PNC ahead of many peers. Additionally, Coinbase enriches its offerings with traditional banking utility, while PNC builds out its digital asset roadmap without developing in-house infrastructure.

Though no official launch date has been set, PNC indicates the service rollout will begin promptly. The exact customer segments and assets included remain under wraps, but wealth and asset management clients will have first access. PNC and Coinbase will likely phase in features such as exchange functionality, custody and secure storage, and potential fintech integrations for payments or stablecoin solutions. These could expand over time to encompass retail banking segments and transactional use cases.

Market observers widely perceive this as a watershed moment for banking adoption of cryptocurrencies. Analysts expect other regional and super-regional banks to watch closely. The success of PNC’s integration of Coinbase could spark a domino effect, similar to recent moves by JP Morgan and Standard Chartered.

Coinbase continues to diversify its offerings. Despite controversies and regulatory battles, the exchange has capitalized on renewed institutional interest, acquiring Deribit, expanding staking services, and navigating legal headwinds. As of 2024, Coinbase held nearly 12% of all Bitcoin and 11% of staked Ether, a powerful position in the digital asset ecosystem. PNC, with assets exceeding $400 billion and a massive branch network, brings formidable distribution capability to the table.

The PNC–Coinbase partnership represents more than a product launch, it marks the ongoing normalization of crypto in U.S. banking. By integrating cutting-edge digital asset services with mainstream account management, PNC is not only responding to client demand, but also rewriting the rules for what a bank can and should offer.