Israel’s Largest Bank to Launch Digital Asset Trading

Bank Leumi, one of Israel’s largest commercial banks, announced a partnership with U.S. firm Galaxy Digital. Under the agreement, it became the first bank in Israel to offer clients regulated access to digital asset trading through its banking infrastructure.

The new service will be available to Bank Leumi and PEPPER digital bank customers through the Leumi Trade app. During the initial phase, users will be able to trade Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL). Trading will take place in a dedicated secure section of the app, and the platform is expected to launch in early 2027.

Trades will be executed through GalaxyOne Institutional, Galaxy Digital’s institutional platform built for banks, asset managers, and other financial institutions. The companies also signed an agreement to use Galaxy Custody Infrastructure, formerly known as GK8, as the foundation of Bank Leumi’s digital asset custody solution.

According to Bank Leumi Chief Strategy Officer Maya Ravia, the launch of digital asset trading is part of the bank’s technology strategy and its efforts to expand its portfolio of financial products. She said digital assets are gradually becoming part of the global financial system, and the bank intends to provide clients with simple, secure, and regulatory compliant access to this market.

Lior Lamesh, CEO of Galaxy Israel, said Bank Leumi became the first Israeli bank to integrate digital assets into its banking services. He said demand for these products is growing rapidly in Israel, and the partnership will provide financial institutions with institutional grade infrastructure for digital asset trading and custody.

In April 2026, Israel’s Capital Market, Insurance and Savings Authority (CMISA) approved the issuance of the country’s first shekel pegged stablecoin.