A Texas Small Lender’s Big Shift Toward Crypto
A small bank in Texas, Mone Bank, has recently grabbed attention in both the crypto sector and political circles. With assets below $6 billion, the bank has undergone two rebrands this year, now positioning itself as an “infrastructure bank” focused on cryptocurrencies.
This shift stands out mainly because the bank is owned by billionaire Andy Beal, who has strong ties to Trump. Analysts note that he’s trying to align the bank with a growing network of pro-Bitcoin supporters around Donald Trump.
Small Banks Becoming Key Players in Cryptocurrency
Mone Bank, which is FDIC-regulated and has six branches in Texas, previously operated for years as Beer Savings Bank. It briefly changed its name to XD Bank before finally rebranding to Monet, indicating a clear strategic shift in direction.
Mr. Beal is known for his background in high-stakes poker and for supporting Trump’s 2016 presidential bid through personal donations.
Now, by entering the digital asset space, Monet positions itself among a select group of federally regulated banks that are openly prioritizing crypto infrastructure.
Potential Connections to a Pro-Bitcoin Political Network
Analyst Jack Sage suggests that Mone Bank will affiliate with a pro-Bitcoin network tied to Trump, gaining momentum from 2024 into 2025. This network includes various companies with political, personal, and financial connections to Trump and his advisors, forming what Sage describes as a budding Bitcoin and stablecoin economy.
“This shows that the Trump campaign is actively developing an alternative monetary system centered around Bitcoin and stablecoins. They’re not backing down. The banking sector is taking notice,” Sage commented.
Key players in this emerging network consist of:
- Cantor Fitzgerald, linked to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick through family ties.
- Tether, which has connections through former White House official Beau Hines.
- Twenty One Capital, along with Cantor, SoftBank, and Tether backing them.
- Metaplanet, where Eric Trump advises.
- Strive, co-owned by Trump supporter Vivek Ramaswamy.
- Strike, managed by Jack Mallards and supported by Cantor Fitzgerald.
Other companies like World Liberty Financial, American Bitcoin Corporation, and Trump Media & Technology Group are closely connected to Trump, and analysts believe they form the backbone of a financial architecture built on Bitcoin and stablecoins.
Is a New Financial System in the Works?
The push by Mone Bank toward crypto coincides with a shift in federal regulations during the Trump administration, which rolled back previous anti-crypto guidelines, allowing banks to more easily offer digital asset services.
FDIC Acting Chairman Travis Hill recently indicated that the FDIC is planning to propose crypto-related regulations under the GENIUS Act, aimed at overseeing stablecoins.
Monet joins other newly established crypto banks such as:
- Erebor Bank, backed by Peter Thiel with conditional approval from OCC.
- N3XT, a Wyoming-based SPDI founded by a former executive from Signature Bank.
For investors, Mone Bank’s emergence signals that the Bitcoin ecosystem aligned with Trump is no longer just a theory; it’s actively creating regulated financial infrastructure. With increased political influence and flexibility, along with institutional partners entering the field, more banks are likely to engage with this fitness currency sector heading into 2025.
