ether.fi adds trading, borrowing and fiat rails to crypto neobank

ether.fi said August 13 it is rolling out a redesigned crypto neobank app that combines saving, trading, borrowing and spending in one product. The release expands access to tokenized stocks, metals, fiat rails and programmatic ETHFI buybacks as the company pushes beyond traditional banking features.

Why it matters: - ether.fi is trying to position a crypto app as a full bank replacement, not just a place to hold digital assets. - The new release combines self-custody, DeFi yields and everyday payments in one interface. - The company is targeting broader adoption by making the app less crypto-native and easier to use.

What happened: - ether.fi announced the next generation of its product as part of the ether.fi Summer release on August 13, 2026. - The company says the release brings saving, earning, trading, borrowing and spending into a single integrated experience. - The app now supports trading in tokenized stocks, metals and crypto assets. - The release also adds an integrated Aave market, new fiat rails and programmatic ETHFI token buybacks. - The new functionality is available to all new and existing users today.

The details: - Tokenized stocks are offered through xStocks, alongside metals and other crypto assets. - Users can buy natively across chains, with every asset held in an ether.fi vault protected by social recovery. - An integrated Aave market on Optimism lets users borrow against the value of their entire portfolio. - Borrowing is available at standard DeFi rates currently around 4%. - Users can spend borrowed funds on the ether.fi Cash card or send them to buy other assets. - New on- and off-ramps support more than 30 currencies and payment methods. - Supported payment methods include Cash App, Apple Pay and Interac. - Named accounts are available for deposits. - The release introduces programmatic buybacks of ETHFI at the protocol level from every product and revenue line built into the protocol contracts. - The app includes 3% cash back on purchases made with the ether.fi Cash card. - Users can hold yield-bearing assets and use them as collateral or spend them directly. - Cash users pay zero top-up fees. - Higher membership tiers include zero FX fees. - Trading in tokenized stocks and metals is not available in the United States and certain other markets.

Between the lines: - ether.fi is moving beyond the familiar crypto-wallet model and into a broader consumer-finance pitch. - The redesigned app signals a push toward users who want fintech-style simplicity without giving up crypto-native features. - The protocol-level buyback feature ties product usage more directly to ETHFI demand. - The borrowing and spending features make the app more useful for day-to-day cash flow, not just investing.

What's next: - ether.fi said the updated app is live now for new and existing users. - Market availability will remain limited for some trading features in the U.S. and other restricted jurisdictions. - The company is likely to keep emphasizing DeFi-based rewards, self-custody and integrated financial services as it competes with traditional fintech apps.

The bottom line: - ether.fi is betting that a crypto neobank can win users by bundling investing, lending and payments into one self-custodial product.