SoFi becomes the first national bank in the United States to launch encryption trading services, supporting Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and other mainstream tokens.

On November 11, 2025, the American fintech company SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ: SOFI) officially launched SoFi Crypto services, becoming the first Financial Institution in the United States to obtain a national banking license and provide encryption currency trading services. Users can complete banking storage, credit operations, and trading activities of dozens of mainstream Crypto Assets such as Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana within the same application.

This innovative service relies on the regulatory guidelines issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in the spring of 2025, marking a historic shift in the attitude of the U.S. banking industry towards digital assets under the Trump administration. SoFi CEO Anthony Noto revealed that the countdown phase for institutional-level crypto services has also begun.

SoFi's Strategic Layout for Digital Transformation in Banking

SoFi's groundbreaking initiative is built on a clear regulatory foundation. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency explicitly stated in its regulatory guidelines released in the spring of 2025 that institutions holding SoFi-like bank licenses may legally engage in crypto assets and blockchain businesses. This policy shift has fundamentally altered the compliance landscape for the banking industry. As Noto noted, “SoFi has transformed from being unable to provide crypto services as a bank or bank holding company to possessing the best licenses for engaging in crypto and blockchain services.” The clarification of regulations has removed the greatest barrier for traditional financial institutions entering the crypto market.

SoFi Crypto Core Features Overview

Integration Mode: Seamless connection between bank accounts and encryption wallets

Supported assets: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and other mainstream tokens.

Security Standards: Bank-Level Risk Control and Compliance Framework

Education System: Built-in Investor Education and Operational Guidance

Stablecoin Project: Development of USD-pegged stablecoin in progress.

The architecture design of SoFi Crypto highlights the trend of integration between traditional finance and digital assets. Users can instantly purchase crypto assets using funds directly from their SoFi Money checking or savings accounts, without the need for a fund transfer process. This integrated experience addresses the efficiency pain points of fund circulation in traditional crypto trading, while providing protection for the cash portion through FDIC-insured bank accounts, and clearly indicating that the crypto asset portion does not enjoy deposit insurance protection.

Changes in Regulatory Environment and Industry Follow-up Actions

The friendly policy stance towards Crypto Assets taken by the Trump administration after taking office has created conditions for the banking industry to enter this field on a large scale. In addition to SoFi, several mainstream banks have indicated that they will explore cryptocurrency product services, breaking the avoidance attitude adopted for many years due to regulatory uncertainty. The guidance documents from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency provide a specific operational framework for banks to participate in the crypto economy, including compliance requirements, risk management, and customer protection standards.

This regulatory transformation is not an isolated event. Since 2025, regulatory agencies at all levels in the United States have shown a systematic shift in their approach to digital assets. The Securities and Exchange Commission has demonstrated a more flexible stance on token classification, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has also expanded its regulatory authority in the field of digital asset derivatives. A collaborative regulatory framework among multiple agencies is taking shape, providing a more predictable operating environment for traditional Financial Institutions.

Analysis of SoFi Product Architecture and Security Features

SoFi Crypto's services are designed with the needs of different user groups in mind. For users who are new to crypto assets, the platform offers tiered educational content and simplified operational processes; for experienced investors, it provides comprehensive trading tools and market data. In terms of security, SoFi employs institutional-grade security protocols, including multi-signature wallets, cold storage solutions, and real-time monitoring systems, with all operations being under the continuous supervision of federal banking regulatory agencies.

Platform integration is its core competitive advantage. Users can manage bank accounts, portfolios, and crypto assets on the same interface, achieving seamless switching of asset allocation. According to internal data from SoFi, 60% of members who already hold crypto assets prefer to trade with licensed banks rather than specialized crypto exchanges, reflecting consumers' trust preference for regulated financial institutions.

Market Impact and Industry Development Trends

SoFi's move may prompt banks to follow suit. Traditional Financial Institutions have a large customer base, a mature compliance system, and strong brand reputation. When these factors are combined with encryption technology, they could significantly lower the barriers for ordinary consumers to enter the crypto market. Data shows that the number of Crypto Assets holders in the United States will double by 2025, yet the penetration rate remains below 20%, indicating a huge market development potential.

From a business evolution perspective, SoFi has clearly identified the integration of blockchain technology as a long-term strategy. The company is developing blockchain-based cross-border remittance services, plans to launch its own stablecoin, and will incorporate encryption features into lending and infrastructure services. This comprehensive layout indicates that traditional financial institutions no longer view crypto assets as a marginal business, but rather as a core component of the future financial ecosystem.

Potential Challenges and Risk Management

Despite the optimistic outlook, banks still face numerous challenges in entering the crypto business. Managing market volatility, technical security risks, and regulatory compliance costs are all areas that require ongoing investment. SoFi clearly warns in its terms of service about the risk that the value of crypto assets may fluctuate significantly or even drop to zero; this transparency is crucial for building long-term customer trust.

On the other hand, the involvement of the banking sector may accelerate market consolidation. Small crypto exchanges and specialized service providers need to reposition their value propositions, or they may lose market share under the competitive pressure of bank-affiliated platforms. The reduction of regulatory arbitrage opportunities will also encourage the entire industry to focus more on substantive innovation rather than regulatory evasion.

Future Outlook and Development Path

The launch of SoFi Crypto is a milestone event in the process of financial digitalization. With the upcoming launch of institutional services, the interaction between banks and the crypto world will enter a deeper level. Noto's assertion that “blockchain technology will fundamentally change the way global finance operates” is gradually becoming a reality, and banks, as the core carriers of traditional finance, may actively intervene and become accelerators of industry development.

From a more macro perspective, this transformation is not only about technology adoption but also involves the structural evolution of the financial system. As banks begin to seamlessly integrate encryption services, the traditional definitions of currency, assets, and value are being rewritten. As a pioneer, SoFi's experience will provide important references for the entire industry, and consumers will ultimately benefit from a more open and efficient financial ecosystem.