Bank Leumi Taps Galaxy for In-App Crypto Trading in 2027

Bank Leumi has selected Galaxy Digital to power crypto trading inside its consumer investing app, with first availability targeted for early 2027. The bank says it plans to become the first in Israel to offer digital-asset trading through this channel, according to a 14 August 2026 Galaxy newsroom release.

Customers of Bank Leumi and Pepper will be able to buy, hold and sell selected digital assets inside the Leumi Trade capital-markets application. The announcement explicitly lists Bitcoin, Ether and Solana among the supported assets, with the rollout expected in early 2027 (Galaxy).

If delivered on schedule, the integration would put crypto next to existing brokerage features for Leumi customers, reducing the need to open separate exchange accounts and aligning trading and custody with a bank-selected infrastructure provider.

Inside Leumi Trade: how the service will run

Leumi plans to route crypto orders and custody through Galaxy’s institutional stack. The bank will use GalaxyOne Institutional, the firm’s trading platform for professional counterparties, and Galaxy’s Custody Infrastructure, formerly known as GK8, as the backbone for the in-app service (Galaxy announcement).

Galaxy cites the scale of its infrastructure to partners. Its corporate materials state approximately $9 billion of assets on platform as of 31 March 2026, a figure the company uses to frame its institutional capabilities for clients like Bank Leumi (Galaxy corporate site).

As described, the customer experience will sit inside the existing Leumi Trade capital-markets app, with support for buying, holding and selling Bitcoin, Ether and Solana. The release does not detail fees, limits, or additional assets beyond those named.

Policy signal in July that set the stage

A supervisory move in mid-July helps explain why an Israeli bank is stepping forward now. On 14 July 2026, the Bank of Israel’s Banking Supervision Department published a draft update for public comment that clarified expectations for payment services related to virtual assets and signaled work to support expansion of such services (Bank of Israel draft update).

Confirmed fact: the draft outlined supervisory expectations and an intent to support expansion of payment services involving virtual assets. Reasonable inference: clearer supervisory guidance reduces uncertainty for banks evaluating crypto offerings, making it easier to plan and launch products like Leumi’s in-app service.

Concise background to understand the move

What is being announced: Leumi, including customers of Pepper, intends to add crypto trading inside its Leumi Trade capital-markets app, initially for Bitcoin, Ether and Solana, with availability targeted for early 2027 (Galaxy).

Who runs the rails: Galaxy will provide trading via GalaxyOne Institutional and custody via Galaxy’s Custody Infrastructure, formerly GK8 (Galaxy). Galaxy reports approximately $9 billion of assets on platform as of 31 March 2026 (corporate site).

Key milestones and signals before early 2027

• Regulatory endpoint: any follow-up or final guidance from the Bank of Israel after the 14 July 2026 draft update on virtual asset payment services (draft).
• Product readiness: confirmation from Leumi or Galaxy of integration progress, testing phases, and the specific go-live window stated as early 2027 (release).
• Service parameters: details on fees, transaction limits, and risk controls for trading and custody, which were not included in the announcement.
• Asset scope: any update on the list of supported assets beyond Bitcoin, Ether and Solana, as well as how asset eligibility will be assessed.

Confirmed facts are limited to the partnership, the intended in-app channel, the named assets, the use of Galaxy’s trading and custody infrastructure, the target timing of early 2027, and the Bank of Israel’s draft update. Market implications beyond those points remain contingent on execution and forthcoming regulatory clarification.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.