SoFi Becomes First Federally Chartered U.S. Bank to Add Crypto Trading — Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana Now Available

• SoFi’s crypto trading launch, including Ethereum (ETH), marks a key step towards mainstream adoption and bridges traditional finance with digital assets.
• Ethereum (ETH) could gain most, as the wider retail access and institutional interest may boost demand and long-term price growth.

SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ: SOFI) has unveiled SoFi Crypto, becoming the first federally chartered U.S. bank to offer in-app cryptocurrency trading directly to consumers. Tracing back to 2023, Crypto News Flash (CNF) reported that ARK Invest made a notable $1.5 million investment in SoFi Technologies, the online banking company.

As announced on November 11, the new platform allows users to buy, sell, and hold dozens of cryptocurrencies—especially Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL)—seamless alongside of FDIC-insured checking, savings, borrowing, and investing services. This integrate marks a pivotal shift, transforming SoFi’s app into a true “one-stop shop” for modern finance.

A Business Wire post also highlighted SoFi’s vision of bringing that all investors together in one trusted platform” through SoFi Crypto. With the phased rollout starting immediately, the feature will gradually expand to more members in the coming weeks.

Furthermore, as crypto ownership continues to rise—now reaching 16% of U.S. adults, according to recent surveys—SoFi’s move further legitimizes digital assets as in essential components of diversified portfolios. It also reflects a broader trend: regulated gateways are lowering barriers for newcomers while maintaining strict compliance standards.

A Bullish Catalyst for Ethereum (ETH) Amid Institutional Momentum

As banks like SoFi entering the ecosystem, more better access to Ethereum (ETH) broadens, making it easier for everyday users to participation. This expansion could fuel stronger demand for ETH, boosting both its price and overall network activity.

In addition, SoFi’s launching appears particularly bullish for Ethereum in the short term. By embedding ETH trading into a trusted, FDIC-backed platform, SoFi democratizes access for its 8 million+ users—many of whom are young professionals new to crypto.

As historical patterns also support this view. When Robinhood introduced crypto trading in 2020, ETH surged more than 20%within weeks as new users joined. With SoFi’s strong reputation and data showing user preference for regulated banking platforms, Ethereum could therefore experience a similar wave of adoption, potentially pushing its price toward $4,000–$4,500 if overall sentiment remains as positive.

While regulatory risks still always be exist, SoFi’s move adds tailwinds rather than headwinds. As more banks follow, Ethereum’s dominance in smart contracts—representing over 50% of total DeFi TVL—cements its position as the foundation for tokenized assets and institutional-grade applications.

As of now, Ethereum (ETH) trades at $3,448.04, marking a 3.71% increase over the past seven days, according to CoinMarketCap’s live data. Despite of minor market fluctuations, SoFi’s integration reinforces Ethereum’s evolution from a speculative asset into a core financial infrastructure—potentially setting the stage for 15–25% upside by Q1 2026. See ETH Price chart below.