- Bank Leumi plans to offer Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana trading directly through its existing banking platforms.
- Around 2.5 million retail customers could buy, hold and sell crypto alongside traditional investments, with a rollout targeted for early 2027.
- Galaxy Digital and GK8 will support the service, although final approval from the Bank of Israel is still required.
Israel’s largest commercial bank, Bank Leumi, is preparing to bring cryptocurrency trading directly into its mainstream banking ecosystem, potentially giving roughly 2.5 million retail customers access to Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana.
The planned service will be available through Leumi Trade and the bank’s Pepper mobile app, allowing customers to manage crypto alongside stocks, bonds and traditional banking products. The rollout is currently expected in early 2027, assuming regulators approve the arrangement.
Galaxy Digital and its custody-focused subsidiary GK8 are partnering with Leumi on the project. GK8 will provide infrastructure for securing customer crypto assets, while Leumi plans to handle tax compliance for users.
Bank Leumi Makes Another Push Into Crypto
This isn’t Leumi’s first attempt to introduce cryptocurrency trading.
In 2022, the bank pursued Bitcoin and Ethereum trading through a partnership with Paxos. Those plans were eventually shelved after failing to secure the necessary regulatory approval from the Bank of Israel.
The regulatory environment has since evolved, with Israel developing clearer rules around virtual asset service providers and making it easier for traditional financial institutions to interact with digital assets.
Still, final approval remains necessary, meaning the planned 2027 launch isn’t guaranteed.
Crypto Could Reach 2.5 Million Banking Customers
The scale of Leumi’s customer base makes the partnership particularly significant.
Rather than creating a separate crypto exchange, Leumi intends to place digital asset trading inside platforms customers already use for their everyday finances. That could significantly reduce the barriers involved in purchasing and managing crypto.
Important details including trading fees, withdrawal options and some custody mechanics haven’t yet been announced.
The basic structure, however, is becoming clear: Leumi maintains the customer relationship, GK8 provides custody infrastructure and Galaxy Digital brings broader digital asset expertise.
Bank of Israel Approval Is the Final Hurdle
Crypto adoption is already substantial in Israel, with reports suggesting more than a quarter of the population has interacted with digital assets.
Approval of Leumi’s service could accelerate that trend while potentially encouraging competing Israeli banks to introduce similar offerings.
But Leumi’s previous attempt shows why regulatory approval matters. Until the Bank of Israel formally signs off, the service remains a planned launch rather than an active crypto product.
If approval arrives, early 2027 could mark an important shift for Israel’s banking sector, bringing Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana directly
