Israel’s Largest Bank Adds Crypto Trading
Israel's largest bank will let customers trade major cryptocurrencies directly through its investment app starting in early 2027.
The update
Israel’s Bank Leumi, the country’s largest financial institution, has partnered with Galaxy Digital to offer cryptocurrency trading services to customers. Beginning in early 2027, customers of Leumi and its mobile banking arm Pepper will be able to buy, hold and sell Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana through the Leumi Trade app. This partnership makes Leumi the first Israeli bank to offer direct digital asset trading to customers.
Why it matters
This move represents a significant step in the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies by traditional banking institutions. By embedding crypto trading directly within its regulated banking app, Leumi is providing customers with a secure, familiar interface for accessing digital assets. This could encourage wider cryptocurrency adoption among traditional banking customers and potentially set a precedent for other financial institutions in Israel and beyond.
What to watch
Watch for the official launch of the service in early 2027 and how other Israeli banks respond to this development. It’s unclear what fees will be charged for trading or what customer eligibility requirements will be in place. The success of this integration could influence whether more traditional banks follow suit in offering crypto services.
Sources
- cointelegraph.com — Details about the partnership and planned launch timeline
- coindesk.com — Additional context about Galaxy's role and the significance of the first Israeli bank offering crypto trading
