First U.S. Bank to Trade Crypto: SoFi Enables Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana Access
TLDR:
- SoFi becomes the first nationally‑chartered U.S. bank to enable retail crypto trading.
- Launch covers major tokens including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana under one platform.
- Regulatory clarity from the OCC in 2025 freed banks to advance crypto services.
- SoFi’s roadmap includes stablecoin issuance and crypto‑based infrastructure extensions.
Retail customers at SoFi Technologies, Inc. (“SoFi”) can now buy, sell and hold crypto. This makes the firm the first U.S. nationally chartered bank to offer direct crypto trading. The product launch follows regulators granting clearer guidance to banks on digital assets.
According to CEO Anthony Noto, the offering is live for retail members now, with institutional access coming soon. The move arrives as crypto adoption among consumers and institutions grows despite persistent market volatility.
SoFi Crypto Trading: What’s on Offer and Why It Matters
SoFi’s trading product allows retail users to access dozens of tokens, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana, according to Reuters.
Noto stated that the bank’s national charter and regulatory clarity from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) give SoFi what he described as “the best license a company can have” for crypto and blockchain services.
The product phases in initially for retail members with a wait‑list system in place. Social posts by Noto confirmed the live rollout of crypto for consumers at the bank.
The offering positions SoFi as an institutional player preparing to bring crypto to its broader lending, stablecoin, and infrastructure roadmap. This includes a planned U.S. dollar–pegged stablecoin and crypto‑based lending products.
The timing aligns with a broader trend of banks entering digital‑asset services now that regulators are issuing clearer guidance. As analysts note, demand remains steady among clients seeking crypto access despite price fluctuations.
Regulatory Shift and Strategic Implications for Crypto Banking
Until recently, U.S. banks largely steered clear of crypto due to uncertain regulatory status.
In spring 2025, the OCC issued guidance permitting banks with the right charter to engage in crypto and blockchain activities. Noto cited this development as a key enabler for SoFi’s launch.
SoFi’s move may influence other banks and traditional financial firms to accelerate digital‑asset offerings. The company’s prior exit from crypto services in 2023 was required during its bank charter process; its return now reflects a strategic pivot back into digital assets.
From a market standpoint, SoFi’s crypto launch could signal increasing mainstream access to digital assets through banking channels rather than crypto‑native platforms. The success of this product could shape how regulators and financial institutions view crypto integration across banking, payments and lending services.
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