SoFi Becomes the First U.S. National Bank to Offer Direct Bitcoin Buying in Bank Accounts

SoFi Technologies has become the first nationally chartered bank in the United States to launch crypto services for retail customers, allowing users to buy, sell, and hold Bitcoin directly within their bank accounts. The rollout begins on Tuesday and is expected to expand in phases to all 12.6 million SoFi customers by the end of 2025. In addition to Bitcoin, the platform also supports Ethereum and Solana, with more digital assets expected later. The launch comes after a major shift in U.S. banking policy. Earlier this year, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation clarified that nationally chartered banks can provide crypto custody, trading, and settlement services. That change gave SoFi the regulatory basis it previously lacked as a bank. SoFi is positioning its crypto offering as a bank-level alternative to exchanges. The company says its services operate under the same oversight and capital requirements as its checking, savings, and lending products. Customer funds for crypto purchases will move directly from FDIC-insured SoFi accounts, where deposits can receive up to $2 million in coverage. Beyond spot crypto trading, SoFi is also developing a U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin and exploring blockchain-based lending and payments.