Bank Leumi, Israel’s largest bank, has announced a partnership with Galaxy Digital to become the country’s first bank to offer direct cryptocurrency trading to its customers. The service will initially support Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana, launching in early 2027 through the Leumi Trade platform pending regulatory approval. Customers of Bank Leumi and its digital banking arm PEPPER will be able to buy, hold, and sell these digital assets via a dedicated section in the app. Galaxy will provide the technical infrastructure, with GalaxyOne Institutional and the Custody Infrastructure platform (formerly GK8) supporting the bank’s digital-asset infrastructure.
Bank Leumi, Israel’s largest bank, has partnered with Galaxy Digital to become the country’s first bank to offer direct digital asset trading to its customers. The service will enable clients to buy, hold, and sell Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana through a designated section on the Leumi Trade platform.
Customers of Bank Leumi and its digital banking arm PEPPER will have access to the service, which is expected to launch in early 2027 subject to regulatory requirements. The technical infrastructure is provided by Galaxy, with backing from GalaxyOne Institutional, while the Custody Infrastructure platform, previously known as GK8, will support the bank’s digital-asset infrastructure.
This collaboration could allow better access to cryptocurrency trading for clients who prefer traditional banks over independent cryptocurrency exchanges. It also illustrates how digital assets are increasingly being integrated into traditional banking as Israeli regulators continue to develop rules for crypto-based financial services.
Before this partnership, Bank Leumi had already explored the sector through PEPPER, which launched a crypto trading service with Paxos in 2022. Galaxy Israel CEO Lior Lamesh said, “Leumi is the first bank in Israel to bring digital assets to its customers.”
The service is expected to go live in early 2027, subject to the completion of necessary regulatory requirements. Its implementation could also provide a model for other Israeli banks considering cryptocurrency trading services.
