The Rise of Omni-Banking Platforms: Combining Fiat and Crypto in one App

The End of the Divide

For too long, the worlds of traditional finance and cryptocurrencies have been separated by a wall of complexity, each with its own apps, rules, friction points, and fees. You have your bank app for your dollars, and a separate, often confusing, wallet app for your crypto. Moving between the two often meant dealing with slow transfers, high fiat to crypto on ramp charges, and a maze of separate wallets or exchanges.

But these challenges created an opening for innovation. Instead of forcing users to choose between fiat and crypto, builders began asking a simple question: What if you could tear down that wall and have the best of both worlds in one place? That question is no longer hypothetical as we’ve entered the era of omni-banking.

Omni-banking is a term used to describe the fusion of traditional banking activities (like savings, deposits, withdrawals, and payments) with crypto finance, including digital assets, stablecoins, and even decentralized finance (DeFi), into a single, seamless user experience.

Essentially, it removes the need for complex fiat-to-crypto transactions and makes managing money feel unified, flexible, and borderless. This transition from disconnected fiat and crypto tools to an all-in-one omni-banking platform isn’t just an upgrade; it’s the next logical step in the evolution of consumer finance.

This article will explore the rise of omni-banking platforms. We will discuss the key features that define these platforms, the benefits they offer to users, and we will highlight five of the leading platforms that are pioneering this new, integrated approach to money.

The Problem: A Fragmented Financial Life

For an average user, modern finance is nothing but a fragmented, frustrating experience. Typically, you earn money in fiat and hold most of it in a traditional bank. However, if you want to invest in digital assets, you would have to endure a complex “on-ramping” process: linking a bank account, waiting for the transfers to clear, and paying fees just to move your own money.

On the other hand, if you wish to use your crypto gains to pay bills, you are then confronted with the “off-ramping” hurdle of selling the asset, waiting for the withdrawal to hit your bank, while anxiously hoping that the volatility does not eat your margins in the meantime.

This process is counterintuitive. You go to one app to buy crypto, another app to stake or lend it, and yet another app to spend it. Each conversion eats into your time, money, and patience. Users are also forced to manage multiple logins, track balances across disparate apps, and, in some cases, navigate through incompatible systems.

A Solution: A Single App for Everything

What if it is possible to integrate all the functions mentioned above into one single mobile application? That way, users only need to switch wallets and not applications. This is the core essence of omni-banking platforms.

They function as unified mobile platforms where fiat (USD, EUR, GBP) and crypto assets (BTC, ETH, USDC) are treated as equal financial tools, allowing users to manage, move, swap crypto and fiat, and spend both seamlessly within the same interface.

A true Omni-banking platform is one that has the following features:

• Unified Balance: Rather than juggling multiple apps or relying on a spreadsheet to understand your financial position, omni-banking platforms bring everything together in a single view. Users can see both their traditional fiat balances and their crypto portfolio presented in a unified dashboard, making it far easier to track overall net worth and monitor movements across all assets.
• Seamless on/off ramps: Instead of navigating several services just to move between fiat and crypto, these platforms streamline the process into a simple, integrated flow. Conversions happen instantly within the same environment, reducing friction and helping users avoid the extra costs and delays often associated with external exchanges or third-party apps.
• Integrated Payments: This is often described as the “holy grail” of crypto utility. Omni-banking approves the use of crypto credit and debit cards, enabling users to pay bills either from their fiat balance or crypto balance. In most cases, these apps also provide virtual cards for smooth online transactions.
• Access to DeFi: Some platforms introduce more features other than trading; they allow you to stake, lend, or borrow, or participate in other DeFi protocols. All of these, together with traditional banking functions, are definitely a win for crypto traders.

The Benefits: Simplicity, Control, and Access

It’s easy to tell why people prefer these hybrid platforms over even the best crypto exchanges. The reasons are mainly three:

1. Simplicity

Omni-banking platforms remove the friction and app-hopping that typically come with managing separate banking and crypto tools. Instead of dealing with incompatible interfaces or juggling multiple logins, users interact with one unified, intuitive app.

Everything from tracking your total portfolio to enabling automatic conversions at checkout happens in one place. The result is a smoother experience that saves time, reduces effort, and cuts unnecessary costs.

1. Control

These platforms give users more control over when and how they move their money. If the market shifts, you can instantly convert assets into fiat or stablecoins without needing an external exchange. All actions happen inside the same app, giving users full flexibility to react quickly, protect their wealth, or deploy assets as needed.

1. Access

For years, Web3 and DeFi tools felt inaccessible to anyone who wasn’t tech-savvy. Omni-banking changes that by providing a safe, familiar environment and serving as an easy on-ramp for everyday users. Regular folk can now explore high-yield savings, digital assets, or DeFi-powered features without worrying about complicated wallet setups, gas fees, or separate exchange charges. Accessing the benefits of the next financial era becomes as simple as using a regular banking app.

5 Omni-Banking Platforms to Watch in 2025

The omni-banking category is expanding quickly, with multiple platforms experimenting with different ways to merge traditional finance and crypto into a single, seamless experience. While they all share the same core idea, each platform approaches the concept with its own unique angle, whether through payments, custody, on/off-ramps, DeFi access, or merchant integration.

Here are five standout omni-banking platforms testing the boundaries of what hybrid banking can look like in 2025:

1. Digitap

Unlike the other platforms that transitioned from a fully digital payment platform or crypto exchange to a hybrid model, Digitap was built from the ground up as an omni-banking platform. That means every part of the app, from the interface to the underlying wallet infrastructure, was designed to treat fiat and crypto as equals.

Users can move between currencies, manage balances, and perform everyday financial tasks without dealing with tiresome swaps, external wallets, or technical setups.

Digitap also integrates both virtual and physical debit cards, allowing users to spend their assets seamlessly in stores, online, or at ATMs. Whether the merchant accepts crypto or not, the card’s built-in off-ramp ensures smooth conversion at the point of sale, giving users true flexibility. This makes Digitap not just a storage solution, but a practical, day-to-day spending platform.

Digitap landing page. Source: Digitap

Additionally, the platform’s native token, $TAP, introduces a reward layer to the ecosystem. Users can stake, earn incentives, and unlock discounts on platform features, adding an extra dimension of utility for active participants. On the Web3 side, Digitap simplifies access to decentralized tools without requiring multiple wallets or complex configurations, making it ideal for beginners and experienced users alike.

While still in its development phase, Digitap is strategically positioned in a rapidly expanding global sector. Its unified approach to payments and asset management makes it a project worth watching closely and joining as consumer finance moves toward truly integrated fiat-crypto experiences.

1. Revolut

Revolut is a fintech platform that combines the basic functions of a digital banking app, such as international money transfers, multicurrency accounts, a prepaid debit card, and a fully-integrated cryptocurrency exchange. This means that users can buy, hold, and sell tokens instantly and even stake specific assets to earn crypto rewards.

Additionally, the app integrates personal finance features such as budgeting and savings, as well as enabling stock trading and insurance. Simply put, this app is your go-to for any financial service, cutting across traditional payment functions and asset trading.

Revolut landing page: Source: Revolut

In terms of charges, users pay 1.49% for non-USDC crypto to fiat conversion, 2% on ATM withdrawals after the allowable limit is exhausted, and 0.5% on currency exchange after the allowable limit is exhausted. Meanwhile, the allowable limits vary depending on each person’s subscription plan.

• Coinbase

Coinbase remains one of the world’s top three crypto exchanges, but in recent years, it has evolved far beyond simple trading. The platform now offers features traditionally associated with banks, such as direct deposit, USD balance management, and seamless cash withdrawals. positioning itself as a true hybrid between a crypto platform and a modern financial hub.

Coinbase landing page: Source: Coinbase

A major driver of this shift is the Coinbase Card, a crypto-enabled debit card that lets users pay bills or make everyday purchases directly from their crypto balance. Coinbase also integrates with major financial institutions like Chase and JPMorgan, allowing users to link their bank accounts for smooth fiat on- and off-ramping. This reduces the need to juggle multiple apps or external payment platforms.

This option is ideal for users who want to stay immersed in the crypto ecosystem while maintaining the convenience of traditional financial tools. Beyond the trading spread, card transactions come with zero fees, making it a practical, cost-effective option for everyday spending, conversions, and portfolio management.

• Nubank

Nubank is one of the world’s largest digital banks, with a particularly strong presence in Latin America. The platform gained popularity by offering a simple, intuitive interface and features that appeal to modern users, such as instant payments, no-fee accounts, and real-time transaction notifications. These innovations helped Nubank attract millions of users away from traditional banks.

Building on its digital banking success, Nubank has also integrated crypto services, becoming one of the first regional platforms to allow customers to buy, hold, and sell digital assets directly within the app. This makes it a versatile financial hub, offering a wide range of services including credit products, debit and credit cards, insurance, and cryptocurrency trading.

Nubank crypto landing page. Source: Nubank

Nubank’s fee structure is competitive, employing a tiered payment model with transaction fees capped at approximately 0.8%. This ensures users can engage with both traditional banking services and crypto trading efficiently, without being penalized by high costs, further enhancing its appeal for everyday banking and crypto activities.

• Wirex

Wirex is a global digital payment platform that enables users to buy, sell, and exchange over 150 traditional and digital assets. Like other omni-banking platforms, it offers crypto debit cards (Visa and Mastercard), allowing users to spend crypto as easily as fiat. One of its standout features is “Cryptoback”, a rewards program that gives users crypto on their purchases while eliminating foreign exchange fees, making everyday spending more rewarding for crypto holders.

Wirex has also made significant strides for corporate clients through Wirex Business, which allows businesses to integrate both stablecoins and fiat into a single payment infrastructure. This move demonstrates Wirex’s commitment to driving global adoption of crypto payments by businesses. On the fiat side, its partnership with OpenPayd provides users with virtual IBANs, simplifying sending and receiving fiat transfers while maintaining the seamless experience of traditional banking.

Wirex landing page. Source: Wirex

The platform has further expanded its ecosystem through partnerships such as with Cardano, which introduced the Cardano Card, allowing users to spend over 600 cryptocurrencies just like regular cash. Crypto transfers within Wirex are fee-free, while transfers to external wallets depend on the network.

ATM withdrawals are free up to $250 per month, after which a 2% flat fee applies, and crypto top-ups through external cards incur a 1% fee. Wirex effectively combines a robust crypto experience with reliable fiat banking, making it a versatile option for both individual and corporate users.

Conclusion: The Future of Banking is Hybrid

Omni-banking platforms are steadily breaking down the wall between traditional finance and crypto, unifying fiat accounts and digital assets into a single, seamless experience. By combining standard banking functions with crypto wallets, on/off ramps, and payment cards, these platforms simplify financial management while enabling everyday crypto utility.

Soon, the distinction between a bank account and a crypto wallet would be a thing of the past. One particular advantage of this is the growing adoption of crypto payments among businesses across the world.

The future of consumer finance is unmistakably hybrid. The most successful financial apps of the next decade will be those that allow users to manage both fiat and crypto effortlessly, providing intuitive interfaces, secure custody, and versatile payment options.

Omni-banking projects present one of the ways to key into the next phase of crypto development. Startups like Digitap, designed from the ground up as omni-banking platforms, are well-positioned to lead this transformation, offering investors and users a front-row seat to the next phase of digital finance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is omni-banking?

Omni-banking is a financial model that combines traditional banking (USD, EUR, GBP) and cryptocurrency trading into a single app. It simplifies managing both fiat and crypto, saving time, effort, and reducing costs.

Is it safe to keep my fiat and crypto in the same app?

Yes, storing both fiat and crypto in a single omni-banking app can be safe and even reduce the risks of managing multiple logins and switching between apps. Security depends on the platform, which should include features like biometric logins, two-factor authentication, and cold storage for most digital assets.

Can I use a crypto debit card to spend my fiat?

Yes. Most omni-banking platforms let you choose your funding source (fiat or crypto) directly in the app. When using fiat, the card functions like a regular bank card. If you select crypto, the platform automatically converts the required amount into fiat at the point of sale.

What are the fees for using an omni-banking platform?

Fees depend on the platform but generally include exchange fees, card transaction fees, and occasional subscription costs. Fiat deposits are often free, while converting fiat to crypto usually carries a small trading fee. Spending crypto with a debit card may also incur a minor conversion fee. It’s best to compare platforms to find the most cost-effective option.

Are omni-banking platforms regulated?

Yes. Omni-banking platforms operate under dual regulatory frameworks: fiat services are overseen by traditional financial authorities, while crypto services are supervised by regulators such as the SEC or equivalent bodies.

To offer fiat banking, the platform must hold a banking license or partner with a licensed institution. For crypto services, they must register as Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) where required and comply with KYC and AML regulations. Avoid platforms that do not clearly disclose their regulatory status or banking partners.