Bank Leumi is preparing a revolution: Israel's first bank launches cryptocurrency trading
Israeli financial giant Bank Leumi is making a historic move 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 the country's largest bank has integrated digital assets into its retail infrastructure.
Trading will be available through a secure section of the Leumi Trade app. 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.
A Strategic Step in the Era of Digital Finance
Maya Ravia, a top executive at the bank, emphasizes that the initiative is a key element of its innovation strategy. According to her, the goal is to provide clients with "simple, secure, and regulated access to digital asset trading." She rightly notes that cryptocurrencies are becoming an integral part of the global financial system, and the bank must adapt to this trend.
Interestingly, this is not Bank Leumi's first attempt to explore the crypto segment. In March 2022, Pepper Invest announced a collaboration with stablecoin issuer Paxos, planning to launch operations with Bitcoin and Ethereum with an entry threshold of just 50 shekels (~$15.5). However, the project never launched, likely due to regulatory delays. Now, the bank appears to be more determined.
The Israeli Market: Potential and Dynamics
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. Retail activity has grown particularly since October 2023 — actual volumes exceeded forecasts by an average of 60.4%. The MENA region shows 33% year-over-year growth, although it lags behind APAC (69%) and Latin America (63%).
An additional stimulus came from the decision of the Israel Capital Markets Authority, which in April 2026 issued its first license for issuing a shekel-pegged stablecoin — the issuer being the exchange Bits of Gold. This creates a favorable regulatory environment for the further development of the crypto industry.
My view: Bank Leumi's decision is not just a trend but a strategic necessity. Integrating cryptocurrencies into traditional banking services will act as a catalyst for mass adoption. If the project is successfully implemented, we can expect a wave of imitation from other banks not only in Israel but across the Middle East. This is a signal to institutional investors that crypto assets have finally ceased to be a marginal instrument.