Bank Leumi, Israel's largest financial institution, is preparing to bring cryptocurrency trading directly to its retail customers through a new partnership with digital asset firm Galaxy, with the service expected to launch in early 2027.
What the Partnership Offers
Under the arrangement, Bank Leumi clients will be able to buy and sell major digital assets — including bitcoin, ether and solana — directly within the bank's existing investment application. The move folds crypto access into a platform customers already use for traditional trading, rather than requiring them to open accounts with standalone exchanges.
Galaxy will provide the underlying infrastructure and liquidity for the offering, lending its institutional-grade trading capabilities to power the service. The collaboration reflects a growing trend of established banks partnering with specialized crypto firms rather than building the technical backbone in-house.
A pillar of Israel's banking sector is opening the door to mainstream crypto investing for everyday customers.
A Sign of Growing Institutional Adoption
The decision by a major legacy bank to embrace digital asset trading signals a broader shift in how traditional finance views cryptocurrencies. For years, many established lenders kept their distance from the sector, citing regulatory uncertainty and volatility concerns. Increasingly, however, banks are moving to meet rising customer demand for exposure to digital assets.
By integrating crypto into a familiar, regulated banking environment, Bank Leumi could lower the barrier to entry for cautious investors who have been wary of unregulated platforms. The service is slated to go live in the opening months of 2027.
Key details of the planned rollout include:
- Trading of bitcoin, ether and solana at launch
- Access built into Bank Leumi's existing investment app
- Galaxy serving as the technology and liquidity partner
- A projected go-live date in early 2027
The timeline gives both firms room to navigate regulatory requirements and finalize the technical integration before customers gain access.