SoFi Becomes First Nationally Chartered Bank to Launch Integrated Crypto Trading

• SoFi becomes first U.S. national bank to offer integrated crypto trading.
• OCC approval enables banks to provide regulated crypto services.
• SoFi plans blockchain remittances and a USD stablecoin by 2026.

SoFi Technologies has introduced SoFi Crypto, marking the first time a U.S. nationally chartered bank is offering cryptocurrency trading directly within its own platform. The fintech firm announced that the new service will enable members to buy, sell, and hold digital assets, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL), through a phased rollout starting Tuesday.

The launch positions SoFi as the first national bank to provide direct crypto access without external integrations. Unlike its previous partnership with Coinbase, suspended in 2023, this offering operates entirely under SoFi’s own infrastructure and regulatory framework. The platform enables users to manage crypto transactions from their FDIC-insured checking or savings accounts, integrating them alongside traditional financial products.

Banking Integration and Regulatory Shift

According to SoFi, the integration follows a March 2025 interpretive letter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) clarifying that banks may offer cryptocurrency services under specific conditions. SoFi CEO Anthony Noto explained that this regulatory development removed a key restriction that had previously prevented banks from enabling direct crypto trading.

While Noto described the launch as a natural progression of SoFi’s digital ecosystem, he stated that traditional banking institutions, such as JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America, are unlikely to pursue similar offerings. He attributed this to their legacy structures and the absence of digital-first architectures capable of integrating crypto seamlessly with existing banking operations.

Security, Compliance, and Customer Demand

SoFi said that approximately 60% of its members who already hold digital assets would prefer to manage them through a licensed banking institution. The company cited this data to support its move into crypto, emphasizing regulatory compliance and institutional-grade security as key factors in consumer confidence.

Although crypto assets remain uninsured by the FDIC, SoFi said transactions occur within its established security framework. The app includes in-platform educational materials and guided steps aimed at first-time crypto users.

The launch forms part of SoFi’s broader strategy to integrate blockchain technologies into its financial services. The company said it plans to expand into blockchain-enabled remittances using the Bitcoin Lightning Network and introduce a U.S. dollar–denominated stablecoin in 2026.