Bank Leumi enters the crypto market: trading in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana will become available to clients
Israel's largest bank, Bank Leumi, has announced a strategic partnership with Galaxy Digital, under which its clients, including users of the PEPPER mobile banking app, will gain access to trading in bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. This is a landmark event for the entire region, as it marks the first bank in the country to integrate digital assets into its retail products.
Infrastructure and launch timeline
Trading will be available through a secure section in the Leumi Trade app. According to preliminary data, the service is set to launch in early 2027. The technological foundation will be provided by the institutional platform GalaxyOne and the custody solution Custody Infrastructure (formerly GK8), ensuring a high level of security and compliance with regulatory standards.
"This initiative is an important part of our innovation strategy. It will give clients simple, secure, and regulated access to trading digital assets on one of the world's best technological platforms," emphasized the bank's top executive, Maya Ravia. She also noted that cryptocurrencies are "gradually becoming an integral part of the global financial system," and the bank's task is to provide clients with the ability to work with them within a regulated framework.
Second attempt and market context
This is not Leumi's first foray into the crypto segment. In March 2022, the Pepper Invest platform announced a partnership with stablecoin issuer Paxos to launch bitcoin and Ethereum operations with a minimum threshold of 50 shekels (~$15.5). The launch never materialized at that time due to regulatory delays. Now, the bank appears to be more determined.
Interest in digital assets in Israel is growing. According to Chainalysis analysts, in the year leading up to June 2025, approximately $22 billion flowed into the country through on-chain channels. Growth in the MENA region was 33% year-over-year, lower than in APAC (69%) and Latin America (63%). However, retail activity in Israel after October 2023 consistently exceeded forecasts by an average of 60.4%, indicating strong demand.
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 becoming the issuer. This creates favorable ground for the legalization of the crypto industry in the country.
My take: Leumi's decision is not just a trend but a signal of market maturity. The integration of crypto assets into Israel's largest bank could become a catalyst for other financial institutions in the region. However, the key success factor will be not only technology but also the bank's ability to offer competitive fees and a user-friendly interface to attract users away from unregulated exchanges. We await details on commissions and limits—this will determine real demand.