USAA has teamed up with Coinbase to enable members to check their bitcoin balances through the online army bank's website and mobile app.
Following a pilot begun at the end of last year, the feature is being rolled out to the more than 11,000 USAA members who have wallets with bitcoin outfit Coinbase. The system uses the Coinbase Connect API to let users see their bitcoin balances, but does not enable transactions.
Last January USAA joined the likes of BBVA and Nyse in a $75 million funding round for Coinbase as it explores the potential of bitcoin and the blockchain.
Jon Cholak, lead investment associate for USAA’s corporate development team, who took part in the pilot and has been researching cryptocurrencies, says: "Traditionally, USAA is very good about getting in front of emerging technology trends. What we’re developing is at the forefront of the financial services industries."