- Wells Fargo is in talks with Payward about crypto trading liquidity, according to two people with direct knowledge.
- The discussions are ongoing and may not result in a deal.
- Payward and Wells Fargo both declined to comment.
Wells Fargo is discussing a possible arrangement with Payward, the parent company of crypto exchange Kraken, that would support trading in digital assets. According to two people with direct knowledge of the matter, the potential deal would have Wyoming-based Payward supply liquidity for crypto trading. The talks remain private and are still underway, with no guarantee that an agreement will be reached. The reported discussions add to a broader pattern in which large banks are turning to established crypto companies for market access, trading support and other digital asset services as activity between traditional finance and the crypto sector continues to expand.
Wells Fargo discusses liquidity with Payward
Two people with direct knowledge said Payward is in talks to become a crypto liquidity provider to Wells Fargo. Under the potential arrangement, Payward would supply liquidity for trading in crypto assets. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the matter is private.
The discussions are still ongoing and may not lead to a final deal. Both Payward and Wells Fargo declined to comment on the matter. The report identifies Payward as the parent company of Kraken and notes that the company is based in Wyoming.
Why Wells Fargo may work with crypto firms
Crypto exchanges often act as access points to digital asset liquidity for banks and institutional investors. They can connect clients to trading venues and help with order execution. The source also points to Coinbase Prime as an example of a service that aggregates liquidity across multiple markets.
Kraken is also described as offering banks technology that can be integrated into their own platforms. That setup allows banks to provide crypto trading to clients without having to build the underlying infrastructure themselves. The talks involving Wells Fargo suggest this type of partnership model remains active among major financial institutions.
Wells Fargo expands digital asset activity
Wells Fargo already offers spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds to eligible wealth clients. It has also backed crypto compliance firm Elliptic and trading technology provider Talos. In addition, the bank has announced plans for blockchain-based deposits and joined a consortium working on a dollar stablecoin.
Earlier this year, the California-based financial services firm strengthened its digital assets team by hiring former Citi banker Mark Gracia. Wells Fargo also served as Nasdaq’s exclusive capital markets adviser on Nasdaq’s September agreement to invest $100 million in Payward and deepen cooperation on tokenized equities and market surveillance.
Banks and Payward build broader ties
The source says major banks are increasingly looking to established crypto companies to support their digital asset goals. It also says a friendlier U.S. regulatory environment is helping that shift. Under a more accommodating climate during President Donald Trump’s administration, major lenders are increasingly viewing companies such as Payward as commercial partners.
Payward is also separately in talks with BNY over a broader financial-infrastructure partnership, according to a report cited from last week. Those discussions could include crypto products, custody, wealth management, trading and payments. Beyond Kraken, Payward offers trading, payments and financial infrastructure across spot crypto, derivatives, tokenized equities, custody, staking and traditional securities, while its Payward Services division supports banks, fintechs, brokerages and payment companies.
Conclusion
The reported talks between Wells Fargo and Payward point to continued engagement between large financial institutions and established crypto service providers. According to two people with direct knowledge, the possible arrangement would have Payward supply liquidity for crypto trading, though the discussions remain active and may still end without a deal. Wells Fargo has already built a wider digital asset presence through ETFs, investments, hiring and blockchain-related projects, while Payward continues to broaden its work with traditional financial firms. Taken together, the discussions show how Wells Fargo and other major banks are exploring practical partnerships tied to digital asset trading and infrastructure.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. The article does not offer sufficient information to make investment decisions, nor does it constitute an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instrument. The content is opinion of the author and does not reflect any view or suggestion or any kind of advise from CryptoNewsBytes.com. The author declares he does not hold any of the above mentioned tokens or received any incentive from any company.
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