SoFi Becomes First U.S. Nationally Chartered Bank to Offer Crypto Trading for Consumers

In a landmark development for the financial and cryptocurrency sectors, SoFi Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOFI) has officially launched its crypto-trading service, positioning itself as the first U.S. nationally chartered bank to allow retail customers to buy, sell and hold cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana. 

The rollout, announced on November 11, 2025, reflects a pivotal shift in how mainstream banking institutions integrate digital assets. SoFi, an FDIC-insured institution with national charter status, SoFi first nationally chartered bank crypto trading consumers 2025 has merged traditional banking services with cryptocurrency trading under one platform, presenting a unified experience for banking, investing and crypto exposure. 

What SoFi’s Crypto Offering Entails

SoFi’s newly launched service branded as “SoFi Crypto” allows eligible members to execute crypto trades directly in the existing banking and investing app. The platform initially offers leading digital assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana, with more tokens to be added in a phased rollout. 

CEO Anthony Noto described the launch as a milestone where “banking meets crypto in one app, on a trusted platform” and emphasized the company’s goal of delivering “secure and regulated way to step into the future of money.”

Why This Matters

1. Regulatory clarity paving the way - This move follows increased guidance from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in 2025 that clarified nationally chartered banks can provide crypto and blockchain services. SoFi leveraged that regulatory environment to integrate crypto trading with its banking charter. 
   
   

2. Integration of banking + crypto - Unlike previous crypto access via fintech apps, SoFi’s offering allows customers to manage deposits, loans, stock investing and now crypto trading in one ecosystem. Analysts suggest this could accelerate mainstream crypto adoption among broader retail banking segments. 
   
   

3. Competitive pressure on banking & fintech - By becoming the first nationally chartered bank offering these services, SoFi may push other banks and fintech platforms to accelerate their crypto strategies or risk falling behind. Many institutional and retail players are watching closely. 

Implications for Customers and Markets

For users of SoFi, the crypto offering may reduce fragmentation one app for cash, investments and digital assets. The bank’s charter-status and FDIC-insurance suggest enhanced regulatory safeguards compared to standalone crypto platforms. However, this also means crypto trades may come under stricter regulatory compliance, reporting and risk-management requirements than unregulated venues.

For the crypto market, this represents a major step toward mainstream integration. As banks with national charters enter the space, institutional credibility for digital assets may receive a boost, potentially attracting new capital flows from conservative investors who have avoided purely crypto-native platforms.

Risks and Considerations

• Regulatory oversight increases: With a bank charter comes enhanced regulatory obligations customers should expect stricter KYC/AML, potential limitations and disclosures previously uncommon in crypto trading apps.
  
  

• Crypto volatility persists: Even though banking infrastructure is more stable, the underlying assets remain unpredictable. Users must still contend with market swings, risk of loss and sector-specific uncertainty.
  
  

• Adoption lags and rollout risks: Though SoFi is first, rollout is phased and availability may be limited to select customers initially. The broader impact will depend on how smoothly its platform scales and how the market responds.

What to Watch Next

• Whether more nationally chartered banks follow SoFi’s lead and launch similar crypto-trading services.
  
  

• How SoFi expands its crypto offering beyond the initial tokens and whether it introduces features like staking, institutional services or a proprietary stablecoin.
  
  

• Customer adoption metrics and trading volumes posted by SoFi in the coming quarters a gauge of demand for bank-based crypto trading.
  
  

• Regulatory developments affecting banks’ crypto services, including how the OCC, SEC and banking regulators respond to this new bank-crypto model.

FAQs

Q1. What exactly has SoFi launched?
A1. SoFi has launched “SoFi Crypto”, a service allowing eligible retail banking customers to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana directly within its banking/investing app. It is the first U.S. nationally chartered bank to offer such integrated crypto-trading services. 

Q2. Why is it significant that SoFi is a “nationally chartered bank”?
A2. A nationally chartered bank is regulated by the OCC and has a federal charter (as opposed to state-chartered banks). SoFi offering crypto trading under such a charter means these services are backed by a full-service bank subject to banking regulations, rather than a fintech intermediary.

Q3. Which cryptocurrencies can customers trade initially?
A3. At launch, SoFi supports major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL). Additional tokens are expected to be added in waves. 

Q4. Does this mean other banks can’t offer crypto trading?
A4. No other banks may follow, but SoFi claims to be the first and only nationally chartered U.S. bank offering integrated crypto trading for consumers at this time. Regulatory clarity, technological infrastructure and risk-management capabilities will influence how quickly others follow. 

Q5. Should I sign up for SoFi to access crypto?
A5. This article is general information and not financial advice. If you’re considering using SoFi’s crypto service, review its fees, features, supported tokens, your risk tolerance, and whether a bank-based platform fits your crypto strategy. Be aware of crypto risks including price volatility and regulatory changes.