With bitcoin, banks are now embracing what many already feel to be "inevitable", according to TechStars managing director Jenny Fielding.
A number of the world's largest investment banks are teaming up to develop standards for blockchain technology.
Barclays has revealed it will be pursuing a new partnership with an unnamed bitcoin exchange to help charities accept digital currency.
Despite an initial skepticism, major financial institutions are beginning to become more public with their interest in bitcoin and the blockchain.
Barclays has signed off on a proof-of-concept to trial bitcoin technology in an agreement with bitcoin exchange Safello.
Blockchain technology is potentially “transformative”, according to Usama Fayyad, chief data officer at Barclays.
At the Barclays Emerging Payments Forum, Silbert met with 38 institutional investors representing more than $250bn in investment capital.
The UK bank blocked a customer's online banking access after he made a Local Bitcoins purchase.
Barclays now takes sterling deposits that can be used on new UK bitcoin exchange Bit121.