Israel's Largest Bank to Offer Bitcoin Trading

August 14, 2026 · Markets · CryptoRefuge Team

Bank Leumi, Israel's largest bank, will offer Bitcoin trading to its 2.5 million retail customers, marking a milestone in crypto adoption.

2.5 million retail customers will have access to Bitcoin trading through Bank Leumi's platform. This move results from a partnership with Galaxy Digital, a leading crypto trading and custody provider.

Live market snapshot (at publish): BTC $63,156 (-0.5% 24h) · ETH $1,884.78 (+0.2% 24h)

The introduction of Bitcoin trading at Bank Leumi may increase demand for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, as the bank's large customer base gains easier access to the crypto market.

500 million threshold for trading top 50 coins will be implemented as part of the service. The bank's decision to offer Bitcoin trading is significant in the Israeli crypto market, which has seen growing interest in recent years.

Lior Lamesh, CEO of Galaxy Israel, says, "The future of finance will run on open, programmable rails, and we believe the banks that move first will define the era that follows."

"The future of finance will run on open, programmable rails, and we believe the banks that move first will define the era that follows." — Lior Lamesh, CEO of Galaxy Israel, Galaxy Israel This statement highlights traditional financial institutions' potential role in shaping the future of finance, particularly in cryptocurrency adoption.

The partnership between Bank Leumi and Galaxy Digital provides a secure and regulated platform for customers to trade Bitcoin, with minimum requirements of 2 million NIS for non-custody firms and 2.5 million NIS for firms with custody. This move is expected to increase the bank's revenue and provide a new service to its customers.

Analysis: If Bank Leumi's Bitcoin trading service is successful, it could lead to increased demand for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in Israel, potentially driving up prices. The partnership between Bank Leumi and Galaxy Digital may set a precedent for other traditional financial institutions to enter the crypto market, further increasing adoption and mainstream acceptance.

The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the success of Bank Leumi's Bitcoin trading service, and investors will be watching closely to see how the market reacts to this new development.