Key Takeaways
- Neobanks provide digital-first financial services and integrate crypto features, giving holders easier access to investing, trading, and everyday spending.
- Leading neobanks like Revolut, Wirex, and N26 allow direct crypto purchases, staking, or trading alongside traditional fiat accounts in one platform.
- Others, such as Xapo Bank, Nebeus, and Trastra, focus on custody, loans, and debit cards, offering security and practical crypto utility worldwide.
- Each neobank differs in offerings, but all contribute to making cryptocurrency management simpler, more accessible, and connected with modern banking.
Step into a busy café in London or New York, and you’ll likely see people tapping their phones for payments, no wallet in sight. The shift from traditional banks to digital-only platforms highlights how a new generation manages money. These digital-first institutions are called neobanks.
Neobanks operate without physical branches and rely on mobile apps and web platforms to deliver financial services. Their appeal lies in accessibility, lower costs, and innovative features. For cryptocurrency holders, they present something more valuable: the ability to bridge traditional finance with digital assets. They offer direct crypto trading, provide integrated digital wallets, and serve as gateways for funding exchange accounts with minimal delay.
Let’s walk through ten neobanks that crypto holders should know, with details about their leadership, locations, and crypto involvement.
10 Neobanks Crypto Holders Should Know
| Bank | CEO | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Revolut | Nikolay Storonsky | London, UK |
| Wirex | Pavel Matveev | London, UK |
| Xapo Bank | Seamus Rocca | Gibraltar |
| Nebeus | Michael Stroev | Barcelona, Spain |
| Trastra | Roman Potemkin | Prague, Czech Republic |
| SoFi | Anthony Noto | San Francisco, USA |
| Current | Stuart Sopp | New York, USA |
| Monese | Norris Koppel | London, UK |
| Monzo | TS Anil | London, UK |
| N26 | Valentin Stalf | Berlin, Germany |
Revolut – London, UK
Launched in 2015, Revolut quickly became one of the most recognized names in fintech. CEO Nikolay Storonsky built it as a global financial platform, and today it offers services in over 150 countries.
For crypto users, Revolut provides the ability to buy, sell, and hold dozens of digital currencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. The app also supports recurring buys, staking on select assets, and educational tools to help customers understand crypto markets. Security is a priority, with most assets stored offline in cold wallets. Revolut’s adherence to regulations makes it a trusted financial partner.
Wirex – London, UK
Pavel Matveev and Dmitry Lazarichev founded Wirex in 2014. It stands out for pioneering the bridge between traditional finance and digital currency, having launched one of the world’s first crypto-enabled debit cards long before many competitors.
The Wirex debit card is one of its strongest features. It lets users spend cryptocurrencies anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted, instantly converting assets at the point of sale. Its Cryptoback™ rewards program returns up to 8% in Wirex’s token (WXT) on purchases, with the highest rate available to users on its premium X-tras plans who meet certain WXT holding requirements.
Wirex also offers access to X-Accounts, its DeFi-powered interest accounts, giving users a chance to earn yields of up to 16% AER on their holdings (rates are variable).
The company is regulated in multiple regions and protects user funds through technologies like cold storage, two-factor authentication, and industry-leading security standards.
Xapo Bank – Gibraltar
Founded by Wences Casares in 2013 as Xapo Vault, Xapo Bank began as one of the earliest Bitcoin custody solutions. Today, it operates as a fully licensed private bank in Gibraltar under CEO Seamus Rocca.
Licensed by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission, it combines USD banking with digital asset services, targeting high-net-worth clients through a $1,000 annual membership fee. Xapo offers daily interest on USD and Bitcoin balances, integrated Lightning Network payments, and a debit card for global spending. Deposits in USD are covered by the Gibraltar Deposit Guarantee Scheme.
The bank is recognized for institutional-grade custody, evolving from cold storage in a Swiss military bunker to modern Multi-Party Computation protocols. However, Xapo faced controversy in 2019 when it sold its institutional custody arm to Coinbase, sparking debate over whether it was stepping back from its pioneering role. Despite this, Xapo Bank has continued building its profile as one of the few regulated banks combining traditional finance with Bitcoin utility.
Nebeus – Barcelona, Spain
Nebeus is a private Barcelona-based crypto-finance platform founded in 2014, providing crypto-backed loans and passive income programs. The current CEO is Konstantin Zaripov, with founder Sergey Romanovskiy serving as Executive Chairman. In September 2025, Nebeus exceeded its 3.6$ million crowdfunding target on Republic Europe, demonstrating investor confidence.
Nebeus is heavily focused on regulatory compliance, operating with a UK Electronic Money Institution license and a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) registration in Spain and Argentina, which helps it prepare for Europe’s MiCA regulation. Key partners include BitGo for insured, cold storage custody and Mastercard for its globally-issued crypto card.
The platform targets digital nomads and freelancers, offering multi-currency accounts and a seamless bridge between fiat and crypto.
Trastra – Prague, Czech Republic
Trastra, a private company headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, was launched in 2017 by CEO Roman Potemkin. The company’s mission is to simplify everyday spending with cryptocurrency.
Its core offering is the Trastra Visa debit card, which enables users to spend digital currencies at millions of merchants worldwide. Trastra also facilitates SEPA transfers, providing European users with an efficient method for converting between euros and cryptocurrencies. The Trastra wallet supports several major digital currencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), and Ripple (XRP).
As a licensed financial institution, Trastra operates in compliance with EU regulations, ensuring strict security measures and adherence to anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) policies.
SoFi – San Francisco, USA
SoFi Technologies, Inc., a public company headquartered in San Francisco, USA, was launched in 2011 by Mike Cagney, Dan Macklin, James Finnigan, and Ian Brady. Currently led by CEO Anthony Noto, SoFi has evolved from its origins in student loan refinancing to become a comprehensive digital financial services platform offering banking, investing, and insurance. SoFi went public in June 2021 via a SPAC merger with Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp. V.
Through its SoFi Invest platform, users can engage in buying and selling cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), alongside traditional investments such as stocks and ETFs, enabling integrated portfolio management. SoFi emphasizes no direct trading fees for crypto and provides educational resources. For crypto asset security, SoFi partners with licensed custodians, including Coinbase Custody, to ensure the safeguarding of digital holdings.
Current – New York, USA
Current, a private fintech company headquartered in New York, USA, was launched in 2015. Designed with a mobile-first approach, Current initially targeted younger customers and has since expanded its offerings to include direct cryptocurrency services within its app.
Through the Current app, users can trade popular cryptocurrencies commission-free, utilize Savings Pods for specific financial goals, and invest spare change through round-up features on purchases. The platform emphasizes instant trade execution, catering to users seeking rapid access to market opportunities. Current partners with regulated custodians, such as Apex Crypto, to securely hold crypto assets and employs advanced security features to protect user accounts.
Monese – London, UK
Monese is a private mobile-only banking service headquartered in London, UK. CEO Norris Koppel founded the company in 2015 It was one of the first mobile-only banks in Europe, primarily focusing on providing multi-currency accounts for residents across the UK and the European Economic Area (EEA).
Through a partnership with the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, Monese users can directly buy, sell, and hold digital currencies within the app. The platform supports accounts in GBP, EUR, and RON, facilitating straightforward conversions between local fiat currencies and crypto. Monese provides real-time notifications for all transactions, offering users clear visibility and control over their finances.
Monzo – London, UK
Monzo, led by CEO TS Anil, is one of the most recognized neobanks in the UK. Unlike others on this list, Monzo does not yet allow direct crypto trading. However, it lets customers connect their exchange accounts, such as Coinbase, to the Monzo app.
This creates a single view of traditional bank balances and digital assets. With budgeting tools and instant transaction alerts, Monzo offers users clear financial oversight across both worlds. Monzo remains a fully licensed bank in the UK and complies with local financial regulations.
N26 – Berlin, Germany
Founded by Valentin Stalf and Maximilian Tayenthal in 2013, N26 is one of Europe’s leading neobanks. Headquartered in Berlin, it serves millions of customers across the continent.
In 2022, N26 introduced N26 Crypto, enabling customers to buy and sell more than 200 cryptocurrencies directly within its app. Prices, holdings, and market data appear alongside users’ regular accounts, making it easy to track everything in one place.
As a licensed German bank, N26 works with regulated custodians for crypto asset protection. Its trading interface emphasizes clarity, with plain-language explanations and accessible educational content.
What is A Neobank Anyway?
A neobank is a financial institution that operates fully online without physical branches. Everything happens through an app or web platform. The format allows neobanks to cut overhead costs and pass these savings to users through lower fees.
While many traditional banks have digital features, neobanks are digital-first. They tend to be more agile, introducing features such as instant account creation, crypto integration, and real-time spending notifications earlier than legacy banks.
Why Are Neobanks Important For Crypto
Crypto investors need access to traditional financial rails, and neobanks often provide the most direct bridge. Their ability to integrate fiat and digital currency services in a single interface helps customers manage funds more efficiently.
Convenience Of Integration
Neobanks like Revolut and N26 integrate crypto trading directly into their apps. The integration allows users to manage euros and Bitcoin in one dashboard.
Everyday Spending With Crypto
Wirex and Trastra issue debit cards that convert crypto into local currency at checkout, enabling users to spend digital assets at any merchant that accepts Visa or Mastercard.
Lending And Earning Options
Nebeus and Xapo Bank give users more sophisticated tools, such as crypto-backed loans or interest-bearing Bitcoin accounts. They add options beyond basic trading.
Portfolio Diversification
Platforms like SoFi and Current let users build diversified portfolios by holding stocks, ETFs, and crypto in the same place, encouraging a broader financial approach rather than treating crypto as a completely separate system.
Closing Thoughts
Neobanks are reshaping the way people interact with both fiat and digital money. For crypto holders, they represent more than convenience—they represent access, flexibility, and integration. Some focus on spending, others on investing or lending, but all contribute to making crypto more usable in everyday life.
The landscape is still young and expanding. Each neobank takes a different approach, from Monzo’s connected accounts to Revolut’s staking features. For anyone active in digital assets, keeping track of these players is essential to understanding how the financial system is adapting to the rise of crypto.
