Bitcoin News Today: SoFi Merges Crypto and Traditional Banking, Paves Decentralized Future

SoFi Technologies Inc. has become the first nationally chartered, FDIC-insured U.S. bank to launch a fully integrated crypto trading platform, marking a pivotal shift in how traditional finance approaches digital assets. The service, dubbed SoFi Crypto, went live on November 11, 2025, allowing members to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL) directly within their SoFi app, alongside traditional banking services, according to a Yahoo Finance report. This move positions SoFi at the forefront of a broader industry trend, as major banks increasingly seek to capitalize on surging consumer demand for crypto access, as noted in a TradingView article.

The relaunch follows a two-year hiatus in SoFi's crypto services, which were suspended in late 2023 amid regulatory uncertainty during the company's transition to a national bank charter, as reported in the Yahoo Finance report. The new offering was made possible by updated guidance from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in March 2025, which clarified that banks could legally provide crypto custody and execution services, according to a Wral article. "This is a pivotal moment in digital finance," said CEO Anthony Noto, emphasizing that blockchain technology will "reshape the entire financial system" by enabling faster, cheaper, and more transparent transactions, as stated in a Cryptodnes article.

SoFi's platform distinguishes itself by integrating crypto trading with FDIC-insured banking, investing, and borrowing features in a single application, as reported in a Coinpaper article. While crypto assets themselves are not FDIC-insured, the company highlights its adherence to bank-grade compliance and security measures, addressing lingering concerns about the risks of decentralized exchanges, as noted in the Cryptodnes article. Users can fund trades via ACH or USD from their SoFi Money accounts and access educational tools to navigate the complexities of digital assets, as reported in a Business Wire report. The service initially supports three cryptocurrencies, with plans to expand to "dozens" in the coming months, as reported in the Yahoo Finance report.

Consumer demand for such services is evident: 60% of SoFi members who own crypto prefer trading through licensed banks over standalone exchanges, according to the Yahoo Finance report. This preference is driving SoFi's broader strategy to embed blockchain into its ecosystem, including plans for a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, crypto-enabled remittances, and blockchain-based lending tools, as noted in the Coinpaper article. The company also announced a promotional incentive for early adopters, offering a chance to win one Bitcoin for those who complete three trades by January 31, 2026, as mentioned in the Yahoo Finance report.

The move reflects a wider industry shift. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. have recently expanded crypto-related services, while DBS Bank executed digital asset derivatives trades in late October, as noted in the Yahoo Finance report. SoFi's entry into the space, however, is unique in its direct integration of trading with traditional banking, potentially setting a precedent for competitors, as highlighted in the TradingView article.

Critics and crypto purists have raised concerns about centralization and regulatory oversight, but Noto argues that SoFi's approach balances innovation with security, as reported in the Wral article. The company's data shows crypto ownership among its members doubled in 2025, underscoring the growing mainstream appeal of digital assets, according to the Business Wire report.

As SoFi rolls out the service to all 12.6 million members by year-end, as noted in the TradingView article, the bank's success could accelerate broader adoption of crypto in traditional finance. With plans to leverage blockchain for faster cross-border payments and lower-cost loans, SoFi is positioning itself not just as a bank, but as a bridge between legacy financial systems and the decentralized future, as reported in the Coinpaper article.