SoFi has become the first U.S. bank to launch direct cryptocurrency trading, expanding its suite of financial services as regulatory clarity encourages more lenders to explore digital assets. The company announced that customers will now be able to buy, sell, and hold dozens of cryptocurrencies including bitcoin, ethereum, and solana. The fintech’s move comes as both retail and institutional demand for crypto continues to climb, fueled by growing acceptance within the banking industry. SoFi’s Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Noto, said the product rollout marks a new chapter for the company as it seeks to bridge traditional banking and digital finance. While the service is currently designed for retail clients, Noto confirmed that institutional access will follow soon, signaling SoFi’s ambition to become a full-scale player in the regulated crypto market.
The launch positions SoFi at the forefront of a wider trend among U.S. financial institutions adapting to policy shifts under the Trump administration. Earlier this year, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency clarified that federally chartered banks like SoFi could legally offer cryptocurrency and blockchain-related services. This decision provided long-awaited legal certainty for financial institutions that had previously avoided crypto due to compliance risks. According to Noto, this regulatory clarity has been transformative. He stated that SoFi now holds one of the most favorable licenses available for offering blockchain-based services. The bank’s entry into crypto marks an evolution in the U.S. financial sector, where a combination of regulatory support and client appetite is encouraging banks to integrate digital asset products into mainstream banking infrastructure.
Beyond trading, SoFi is also developing its own U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin, aimed at facilitating transactions and payments within its ecosystem. The company said the token would support its growing portfolio of crypto-integrated lending and infrastructure services. Stablecoins, designed to maintain a fixed value relative to traditional currencies, play an increasingly important role in connecting traditional finance and blockchain-based settlements. Analysts say SoFi’s decision to launch its own stablecoin could strengthen its foothold in the digital payments landscape, while also appealing to clients seeking faster, lower-cost alternatives to legacy systems. The company’s expansion comes amid record quarterly earnings and an upward profit forecast, highlighting strong performance across its core lending, investment, and technology segments. With its latest move, SoFi is positioning itself as both a pioneer and a test case for regulated banking innovation in the digital asset space, potentially reshaping how American banks interact with crypto markets in the years ahead.
