Cryptocurrency Trading at Bank Leumi: Israel's Largest Bank Partners with Galaxy

Starting in 2027, cryptocurrency trading will be available to clients of Bank Leumi: Israel's largest bank is preparing to launch the buying, storing, and selling of digital assets through its own app with the involvement of Galaxy Digital.

What Bank Leumi Will Launch

Bank Leumi will be the first Israeli bank to publicly announce plans to offer a cryptocurrency service for its clients. Users of both Leumi and its mobile banking division, Pepper, will have access.

Operations with digital assets will be integrated into the Leumi Trade section. Through this, clients will be able to work with three assets directly in the banking app.

At launch, the offering looks like this:

• Bitcoin: buying, storing, and selling; accessible through Leumi Trade in a familiar banking interface.
• Ethereum: buying, storing, and selling; operations without switching to an external platform.
• Solana: buying, storing, and selling; working in the same Leumi Trade section.

This format makes cryptocurrency a part of the familiar banking interface rather than a separate experience on an external platform.

For many clients, this could simplify investments in digital assets: instead of independently accessing a cryptocurrency exchange, they will gain access to operations within the bank's app. Meanwhile, exchanges as separate platforms remain an alternative for those who prefer specialized services.

The Role of Galaxy Digital in the Project

The trading infrastructure and related services will be provided by Galaxy Digital through GalaxyOne Institutional — a platform aimed at banks and asset managers. Additionally, Bank Leumi has signed an agreement to use Galaxy's custodial infrastructure, previously known as GK8.

For Galaxy Digital, the partnership opens a direct entry to Israel's banking sector. For Bank Leumi, this is a step towards a model where blockchain and digital currency gradually integrate into the traditional financial market.

The bank is effectively betting that some clients will choose a regulated banking environment over independently working with crypto platforms. This approach is particularly important where the legal regime for cryptocurrencies and asset custody requirements remain key issues for both private and institutional market participants.

Why the Launch is Important for the Market

Maya Ravia, head of the strategic direction at Leumi, described digital assets as a part of the financial system that is rapidly gaining significance.

Digital assets are becoming an increasingly significant part of the global financial system.

Lior Lamesh, head of Galaxy Israel, noted that the initial steps of banks in this area help set the direction for the transition of finance to a more open and programmable infrastructure.

The launch does not turn Leumi into a universal crypto marketplace. At the start, only the following are announced:

• Bitcoin
• Ethereum
• Solana

Litecoin and Ripple are not included in this list, so clients will receive a limited but clear set of tools.

The partners did not disclose commercial details. No fees, client requirements, or potential trading costs, including spreads, have been announced: in a financial context, this refers to the difference between buying and selling prices, not the spread as in cooking oil. Such parameters will be important for those comparing banking services with crypto exchanges and other currency market participants.

What to Understand Before Trading Cryptocurrency

How Cryptocurrencies Work

Cryptocurrency is a digital asset that exists in a distributed network and is transferred between participants without a central issuer. The foundation of such a network is blockchain: a chain of records about transactions that are verified by network participants and stored not in one center but across multiple nodes.

The value of cryptocurrencies is influenced by supply and demand, news, technological updates, and regulatory decisions. Therefore, even popular assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana can experience significant price changes in a short time.

What Risks are Important

Cryptocurrency trading is associated with high volatility: prices can rise or fall sharply. This is compounded by cybersecurity risks, limited regulation in parts of the market, and the possibility of losing funds due to errors, hacks, or improper storage.

Basic protection starts with two-factor authentication, secure key storage, and careful service selection. For long-term storage, hardware wallets are often used, while for active trading, only an amount that won't disrupt personal budgeting should be used.

How to Approach Buying and Trading

A newcomer should first choose a service, undergo identity verification, fund their account, and decide in advance what portion of their funds they are willing to allocate to digital assets. When selecting a cryptocurrency exchange, reliability, fees, supported currencies, security, and clear withdrawal options are important.

Purchasing usually occurs through a banking app, cryptocurrency exchange, or another service that supports the desired asset. To withdraw money, cryptocurrency is sold for fiat currency and the funds are transferred to a bank account or another available payment instrument.

Trading and investing are different approaches. Trading involves more frequent transactions and attempts to profit from price movements, while investing is usually associated with holding an asset for a longer period. Common strategies include HODL, active trading, and arbitrage, but in any case, it is important to limit position size and potential losses in advance.

If the launch goes according to plan, Bank Leumi will join the ranks of financial institutions that are not just observing digital assets but integrating access to them into their own client products.