- Bank Leumi plans a 2027 crypto trading launch with Galaxy.
- Customers would be able to trade Bitcoin Ethereum and Solana.
- The service still needs Bank of Israel approval.
Bank Leumi and Galaxy Digital said on August 14 that they aim to launch a digital asset service in early 2027 that they describe as Israel’s first bank-offered crypto trading platform. The Leumi crypto trading plan would give about 2.5 million retail customers at Leumi and its digital banking arm PEPPER access to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. Users would trade through a dedicated secured section inside Leumi Trade, the bank’s capital markets app. While the announcement marks a notable step for crypto access through a major bank, the Leumi crypto trading rollout still depends on approval from the Bank of Israel before customers can use the service.
Leumi crypto trading plan for 2027
Under the plan, Bank Leumi and PEPPER customers would be able to trade BTC, ETH, and SOL from early 2027 if regulators approve the launch. The companies said the service would cover roughly 2.5 million retail customers, giving the Leumi crypto trading project one of the widest potential retail reaches in the local market.
Customers would not need to leave the bank’s ecosystem to place trades. Instead, the Leumi crypto trading service would sit within a separate secured area of Leumi Trade, which is the bank’s existing capital markets application and the planned access point for the new offering.
Galaxy platform and custody setup
GalaxyOne Institutional is set to provide the trading technology behind the service. For storage and safekeeping of assets, custody will run on Galaxy’s custody infrastructure platform, the business that was previously known as GK8.
That custody platform has roots in Israel. Celsius had bought GK8, a Tel Aviv-based custody company, for $115 million, and Galaxy later acquired the platform through the bankruptcy process. Galaxy also added around 40 staff members and a Tel Aviv office, while GK8 co-founder Lior Lamesh now serves as chief executive of Galaxy Israel.
Leumi crypto trading faces approval test
The biggest hurdle for Leumi crypto trading is regulatory approval. The companies made clear that the service cannot launch without the Bank of Israel signing off, which makes the timetable dependent on a decision outside the bank and Galaxy.
That issue matters because Leumi tried to enter crypto before. In 2022, Leumi and PEPPER announced a partnership with Paxos to offer BTC and ETH trading, but customers never received the product after the Bank of Israel declined to approve that earlier plan. Bank executive Maya Ravia said the new initiative fits the bank’s innovation strategy and is meant to provide simple, secure, and regulated access to digital asset trading.
Israel rules around Leumi crypto trading
The setting for Leumi crypto trading looks different from a few years ago. In mid-July, the Bank of Israel’s Banking Supervision Department removed the automatic delay on deposits coming from crypto transactions above NIS 100,000, a policy shift that points to a changing approach to crypto-related banking activity.
Other rules are also under discussion. The Capital Market Authority has circulated a draft that would allow licensed companies to offer trading in the 50 leading digital assets if they meet conditions including a minimum market value of $500 million, limits on holder concentration, and registration in recognized jurisdictions such as the European Union and New York State. Chainalysis separately estimated that Israel received about $22 billion in on-chain value in the 12 months to June 2025.
Conclusion
The Leumi crypto trading proposal outlines a possible early 2027 launch that would let Leumi and PEPPER customers trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana through Leumi Trade, with Galaxy supplying both trading and custody infrastructure. If approved, the service would represent a first for a bank in Israel and extend crypto access to a large retail audience. At the same time, the project is not final because the Bank of Israel still has to approve it, and Leumi’s earlier crypto plan with Paxos never reached users. Recent banking and market rule changes suggest a more active policy environment, but the Leumi crypto trading launch still depends on regulators.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. The article does not offer sufficient information to make investment decisions, nor does it constitute an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instrument. The content is opinion of the author and does not reflect any view or suggestion or any kind of advise from CryptoNewsBytes.com. The author declares he does not hold any of the above mentioned tokens or received any incentive from any company.
Featured image created by AI
