Galoy Unveils All-in-One Bitcoin Banking Platform for U.S. Financial Institutions

Galoy is accelerating its expansion into U.S. banking with a new Bitcoin-native core banking platform designed to help financial institutions integrate Bitcoin services more seamlessly. The update arrives at a time when many banks are still grappling with how—or whether—to incorporate Bitcoin into their product offerings.

Ahead of the Bitcoin 2026 conference in Las Vegas, Galoy introduced an expanded version of its platform, aiming to transform fragmented experiments into a more cohesive operating model for banks and credit unions.

Six Core Use Cases Now Bundled in One Platform

The updated platform consolidates six key use cases into a single system:

• Bitcoin-backed lending – Enables banks to offer loans collateralized by Bitcoin, with real-time collateral monitoring and liquidation triggers.
• Lightning payments – Facilitates fast, low-cost transactions using the Lightning Network.
• Stablecoin payments – Aligns with emerging legislative frameworks for compliant stablecoin transactions.
• Bitcoin exchange – Operates under the OCC’s riskless principal model for regulated Bitcoin trading.
• Custody options – Provides secure storage solutions for Bitcoin holdings.
• Embedded wallet infrastructure – Allows banks to integrate Bitcoin wallet functionality directly into their services.

Acts as a ‘Sidecar’ to Legacy Systems

Rather than replacing existing core banking infrastructure, Galoy’s platform functions as a “sidecar”—a supplementary layer that integrates with legacy systems. This approach reflects the reality in most financial institutions, where replacing core infrastructure remains a long-term, resource-intensive process.

Bitcoin-Backed Lending as the Entry Point

For many banks, Bitcoin-backed lending may serve as the most accessible entry point into Bitcoin services. The concept mirrors traditional collateralized loans tied to equities or real estate, though Bitcoin’s volatility introduces additional considerations. Galoy’s platform addresses these challenges by providing tools for:

• Real-time loan-to-value (LTV) tracking
• Automated accounting systems
• Approval workflows that align with existing credit processes

Tools to Address Regulatory and Risk Uncertainty

Galoy also introduced three new tools designed to help banks navigate regulatory and risk-related uncertainties:

Regulatory Radar

This tool aggregates guidance from federal and state agencies, translating complex regulatory language into plain summaries. It caters to compliance teams that require clear interpretations of evolving rules rather than raw data.

Portfolio Analyzer

The Portfolio Analyzer allows executives to assess how a Bitcoin lending portfolio might fit within their balance sheet. By pre-loading data from thousands of U.S. financial institutions, the tool provides insights into potential integration and scalability.

LTV Risk Scenarios

This tool models how sharp price movements in Bitcoin could impact collateral and capital. It helps banks stress-test their exposure to Bitcoin volatility, ensuring they can maintain stability during market fluctuations.

Industry Shift: From Pilot Programs to Revenue Lines

The expansion reflects a broader industry shift. A few years ago, Bitcoin initiatives in banking were often confined to innovation labs or pilot programs. Today, the conversation has moved closer to revenue generation and risk management, bringing greater scrutiny to Bitcoin integration strategies.

Galoy’s Lana: Expanding Access to Bitcoin-Backed Loans

Last year, Galoy launched Lana, a software solution enabling smaller banks to offer Bitcoin-backed loans. The goal is to increase access to capital while reducing high borrowing rates as more institutions enter the Bitcoin lending market.

"This update represents a significant step toward making Bitcoin a standard part of banking infrastructure in the U.S."

This post first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.