Bank Leumi, Israel's largest bank, is set to become the first Israeli bank to let customers trade Bitcoin. The service, expected to launch in early 2027, will allow users to buy, hold, and sell Bitcoin through the bank's PEPPER mobile app. The bank is partnering with Galaxy Digital, using its GalaxyOne Institutional platform for trading and custody.
Galaxy Digital partnership
Galaxy Digital will provide the infrastructure behind the new offering. Bank Leumi customers will also be able to trade other cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin, though the bank hasn't specified which ones yet. The move puts Bank Leumi ahead of other Israeli lenders, which have so far stayed out of direct crypto exposure.
A plan that took five years
This isn't the first time Bank Leumi has talked about crypto. The bank announced plans to debut crypto trading back in 2022, but shelved the initiative. Now, with the partnership in place and the platform ready, the launch is finally moving forward. The delay means the bank enters the space at a very different moment for digital assets.
Why now
According to Chainalysis, crypto adoption in Israel has been growing. The firm points to geopolitical headwinds pushing Israelis toward digital assets as a safe haven. That context helps explain the timing. Bank Leumi is responding to demand that's been building for years, and it's doing so with a regulated, bank-backed product rather than leaving customers to unregulated exchanges.
The service is still months away, but the announcement gives Israeli customers a clear timeline. When it goes live, Bank Leumi will be the first bank in the country to offer direct Bitcoin trading — a step that could push other banks to follow.
