The Fintech Log
# Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo is reportedly in private, non-binding talks with Payward, the parent of Kraken, to access institutional cryptocurrency trading liquidity through its Payward Services division. The arrangement could let the bank support crypto transactions without building its own exchange and market infrastructure, but neither company has confirmed the discussions or announced a product. No launch date, supported assets, customer segment or pricing has been disclosed. The reported talks follow other digital-asset moves by Wells Fargo, including offering spot Bitcoin ETFs to eligible wealth clients, investing in crypto compliance and trading technology firms, and pursuing tokenized deposits for corporate clients. Those initiatives differ from direct crypto trading and do not establish that a Payward deal will proceed. Payward already provides liquidity to SoFi through Kraken Prime and has discussed broader institutional cooperation with BNY. Wells Fargo also advised Nasdaq on its September 2026 investment in Payward. For now, any trading service remains unconfirmed.

Oct. 13, 2026 • 3 min read