Charles Schwab Launches Direct Bitcoin and Ether Trading for Retail Clients
Financial giant Charles Schwab has officially entered the digital asset market by launching its new platform, “Schwab Crypto.” Starting this Tuesday, the brokerage firm began rolling out direct trading services for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) to an initial group of eligible retail investors.
Expansion into Direct Crypto Assets
Previously, Schwab clients could only gain exposure to the crypto market through indirect methods like ETFs and derivatives. The launch of Schwab Crypto marks a major shift, allowing users to buy and hold digital currencies directly alongside their traditional investments.
- Phased Rollout: Access is currently limited to the “first wave” of eligible clients, with more expected to join later.
- Asset Coverage: Initial support is focused on the two largest cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin and Ethereum.
- Availability: The service is live across most U.S. states, excluding New York and Louisiana.
Platform Infrastructure and Security
To ensure a secure trading environment, Charles Schwab has partnered with established industry leaders for its backend operations.
- Custody Services: Charles Schwab Premier Bank acts as the primary custodian for digital assets.
- Trade Execution: Blockchain infrastructure provider Paxos manages the execution of trades and sub-custody logistics.
- Account Structure: Clients will use a dedicated “Schwab Crypto” account, separate from their standard brokerage accounts.
Fees and Financial Performance
The new service carries a 75-basis-point (0.75%) fee per trade. This launch comes at a time of significant growth for the firm, as evidenced by its massive financial footprint.
Metric | Details |
Total Client Assets | $11.77 Trillion (as of March 2026) |
Active Accounts | 39.1 Million Brokerage Accounts |
Q1 Net Income | $2.6 Billion (38% YoY increase) |
Trading Fee | 75 basis points per transaction |
Driving Mainstream Crypto Adoption
With nearly $12 trillion in assets under management, Schwab’s move into spot crypto trading is a landmark event for the industry. By integrating digital assets into one of the world’s largest brokerage platforms, the firm is providing a regulated and familiar path for mainstream investors to participate in the crypto economy.
