SoFi Becomes First U.S. Bank to Offer Direct Solana Purchases From Checking Accounts

SoFi Crypto lets users buy, sell, and hold Solana, Bitcoin, and Ethereum directly from FDIC-insured checking accounts.

The bank’s Lightning Network integration with Lightspark powers instant remittances from the U.S. to Mexico using Bitcoin rails.

SoFi plans to launch a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin by mid-2026 to expand its blockchain-based financial ecosystem.

SoFi Technologies has become the first nationally chartered U.S. bank to let customers buy Solana directly from their checking accounts. The digital finance company launched SoFi Crypto, a new feature enabling users to buy, sell, and hold digital assets, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL). The rollout begins today and will expand to more members over the coming weeks.

According to SoFi CEO Anthony Noto, the launch represents a step toward integrating blockchain into traditional banking. He stated that the move will allow users to access digital assets securely within a regulated environment. The new service is available through the SoFi app, where customers can handle banking, investing, and crypto trading in one place.

Regulated Access to Digital Assets

SoFi Crypto operates under the oversight of national bank regulators, offering customers the ability to trade crypto through a platform built on banking-grade security standards. Members can directly fund crypto purchases from their SoFi checking or savings accounts, which remain FDIC-insured

This eliminates the need to transfer funds to third-party exchanges and enables instant transactions within the same app. The feature targets both first-time and experienced investors by including in-app educational resources and step-by-step guides on crypto trading

However, SoFi clarified that crypto assets are not FDIC or SIPC insured, and their value can fluctuate significantly. The company’s internal data indicates that 60% of its crypto-holding members prefer regulated banking platforms over traditional crypto exchanges.

Expanding Blockchain Integration Across Services

The introduction of SoFi Crypto is the beginning of the company’s broader blockchain strategy. SoFi has already integrated the Bitcoin Lightning Network for remittance payments through a partnership with Lightspark, launched in August. This system allows users to send U.S. dollars that are instantly converted to pesos for recipients in Mexico, using Bitcoin as the underlying transfer mechanism.

The partnership aims to tap into the $740 billion global remittance market by offering faster and lower-cost transactions. Through Lightspark’s Universal Money Addresses (UMA) protocol, users do not directly handle Bitcoin, as the conversion happens seamlessly within the app.

Plans for a U.S. Dollar Stablecoin

SoFi also revealed plans to issue a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin by mid-2026. The company intends to link this stablecoin to its ecosystem, supporting payments, lending, and future embedded finance services

This move aligns with SoFi’s plan to merge traditional financial products with blockchain-powered infrastructure. According to Noto, these developments are designed to give consumers a regulated pathway to access the next generation of financial tools within one banking platform.

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