Bank Leumi enters the crypto market: trading in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana will become available to clients
Israel's largest bank, Leumi, is making a strategic breakthrough by announcing a partnership with Galaxy Digital. As early as the beginning of 2027, the bank's clients and those of its mobile division PEPPER will gain access to trading in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. This is the first time in Israel's history that a systemically significant credit institution has integrated digital assets into its retail service.
Trading will be conducted through a secure section of the Leumi Trade app. The technological foundation will be provided by the institutional platform GalaxyOne, as well as the custody solution Custody Infrastructure (formerly GK8), which guarantees a high level of asset storage security. This approach allows the bank to offer clients a regulated and reliable channel for working with cryptocurrencies.
Innovative strategy or a necessity?
Bank executive Maya Raviv emphasizes that the initiative is part of an innovative strategy aimed at providing clients with "simple, secure, and regulated access to digital asset trading." She rightly notes that cryptocurrencies are "gradually becoming an integral part of the global financial system," and the bank's task is to adapt to this trend within the existing regulatory framework.
Notably, Leumi has previously attempted to enter the retail crypto segment. In March 2022, the Pepper Invest platform announced a partnership with stablecoin issuer Paxos, with plans to launch Bitcoin and Ethereum operations with a minimum threshold of 50 shekels (~$15.5). However, the project never launched, likely due to regulatory barriers. The current initiative appears more mature and technologically prepared.
Regional context: Israel is gaining momentum
Chainalysis analytics confirm growing interest in digital assets in the country: in the year leading up to June 2025, approximately $22 billion flowed into Israel through on-chain channels. Growth in the MENA region was 33% year-over-year, lower than APAC (69%) and Latin America (63%). However, the key signal is a steady rise in retail activity after October 2023: actual volumes exceeded forecasts by an average of 60.4%. This points to significant unmet demand from individual investors.
It is worth recalling that in April 2026, the Israel Capital Markets Authority issued its first license for the issuance of a shekel-pegged stablecoin, with the exchange Bits of Gold as the issuer. This indicates the gradual formation of a full-fledged crypto ecosystem in the country.
My view: Leumi's decision is not just a tactical move but a signal for the entire banking sector. Integrating crypto trading into traditional banking apps is a bridge that could attract conservative investors to the industry who previously feared unregulated exchanges. The only question is how quickly other major players will follow this example, as competition for retail clients in the era of digital finance will only intensify.