Bank Leumi is partnering with Galaxy Digital to offer cryptocurrency trading, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, through its Leumi Trade platform starting in early 2027.
Bank Leumi's New Crypto Initiative
Bank Leumi, Israel's largest financial institution, plans to enable its customers to trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana through its Leumi Trade platform, leveraging the trading and custody services of Galaxy Digital. This move marks the bank's renewed attempt to enter the cryptocurrency market after a previous effort in 2022 faced regulatory challenges.
The anticipated launch of this service is slated for early 2027, contingent on receiving approval from the Bank of Israel, which had previously halted Leumi's collaboration with Paxos due to regulatory issues.
Partnership with Galaxy Digital
On Thursday, Bank Leumi unveiled its partnership with Galaxy Digital to enhance its digital investment service, Pepper. Customers will soon have the capability to buy, hold, and sell various cryptocurrencies directly within the Leumi Trade app. The trading environment will be secure, ensuring a safe experience for users.
This initiative comes after the Bank of Israel relaxed earlier restrictions that hindered banks from engaging with cryptocurrencies. In mid-2026, the central bank lifted deposit delays and prohibited outright refusals of funds from licensed crypto providers, creating a more favorable regulatory environment for banks like Leumi to offer cryptocurrency services to their clients.
Galaxy Digital, which holds a BitLicense from New York's Department of Financial Services, will provide the trading infrastructure through its GalaxyOne Institutional platform, while custody services will be managed by GK8, known for its secure, air-gapped wallet technology. This partnership aims to facilitate a seamless trading experience for Bank Leumi's approximately 2.5 million retail clients.
“The future of finance will operate on open, programmable systems, and we believe the banks that take the initiative will shape the future,” stated Lior Lamesh, CEO of Galaxy Israel.
As Bank Leumi prepares to launch this service, it aims to be at the forefront of the digital asset revolution, offering innovative solutions to its customer base.
