Texas Bank Breaks Rank and Rebuilds Itself for the Crypto Era

A small Texas institution, Monet Bank, has become one of the first U.S. community banks to fully reorient itself around digital-asset services.

Its shift comes as federal regulators soften their stance toward crypto under the Trump administration, creating new space for banks to operate in the sector.

A New Model for Crypto Banking

Formerly Beal Bank, Monet secured approval from Texas regulators to relaunch as a crypto-focused “infrastructure bank.” The institution plans to offer payment rails, exchange tools, and stablecoin-driven settlement services aimed at firms that have long struggled to find reliable banking partners. With under $6 billion in assets, Monet is small by national standards but is positioning itself in a growing niche.

A Competitive Field Begins to Form

Monet is entering a space that only recently started to take shape. N3XT – created by former Signature Bank executives – launched this week as a blockchain-native narrow bank. Erebor Bank, meanwhile, secured an OCC charter to build similar infrastructure. Together, these players represent a new class of regulated institutions built specifically for stablecoins, exchanges, tokenization platforms, and Web3 companies.

Regulators Shift Tone

Monet’s timing reflects the broader regulatory mood. Federal agencies are reversing earlier warnings that discouraged banks from serving digital-asset firms. New guidance aims to normalize crypto banking, and upcoming FDIC rules tied to the GENIUS Act are expected to define how digital-asset companies interface with insured banks going forward.

A Turning Point for U.S. Crypto Finance

For years, crypto companies had to work around banks; now, banks are beginning to retool themselves for crypto. Monet Bank’s pivot highlights the change: traditional institutions are finally adapting their infrastructure to match the operational needs of the digital-asset industry.