Key Highlights
- SoFi becomes the first U.S. bank to offer crypto trading directly.
- Customers can buy, sell, and hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and more.
- The move follows new U.S. regulatory clarity allowing banks to offer crypto products.
SoFi, the U.S.-based digital bank and fintech firm, has officially launched cryptocurrency trading for its 7 million customers, marking a major step in bringing crypto closer to traditional banking. Announced today, the rollout allows users to buy, sell, and hold leading digital assets, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL), directly from SoFi accounts.
In a CNBC interview, CEO Anthony Noto called the launch a “milestone moment,” noting that SoFi is now “the first national bank in the U.S. to offer crypto trading and investing.” He added that while the product targets retail users for now, “institutional access is right around the corner.”
Regulatory clarity unlocks crypto for U.S. banks
For years, U.S. banks avoided crypto due to legal uncertainty. This changed after the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued guidance in early 2025 explicitly permitting licensed banks to offer crypto services.
Noto said the decision gave SoFi “the best license a company can have to offer crypto and blockchain services.”
The fintech firm plans to integrate crypto into its broader banking ecosystem, allowing users to fund trades directly from SoFi checking or savings accounts, both FDIC-insured up to $2 million. Funds not deployed into crypto will continue earning interest, a key differentiator from traditional exchanges like Coinbase or Robinhood.
SoFi also confirmed plans to issue a U.S. dollar–pegged stablecoin and expand crypto features into its lending and infrastructure businesses. The move is expected to integrate blockchain capabilities into existing banking infrastructure, opening the door to future services like digital credit and on-chain payment networks.
Banks join the tokenization wave
SoFi’s move comes as banks race to capture a share of the growing digital asset market. Citi recently announced plans to launch institutional crypto custody by 2026, while Franklin Templeton and BlackRock are expanding into tokenized treasuries.
The total value of tokenized U.S. debt instruments now exceeds $8.7 billion, highlighting surging institutional interest in blockchain finance. This trend, fueled by regulatory clarity and demand for yield-bearing digital assets, is transforming how money moves across borders.
By integrating crypto trading into its core banking stack, SoFi’s entry reflects a broader shift as stablecoins, tokenized assets, and on-chain payments move from speculation to becoming part of mainstream financial infrastructure.
Also read: U.S. Treasury and IRS Issue Guidance for Staking in Crypto ETPs
