- Schwab rolls out direct Bitcoin and Ethereum trading for retail clients
- Integrated platform lets users manage crypto alongside traditional assets
- Expansion signals growing demand for trusted, full-service crypto access
Charles Schwab is stepping further into crypto, and this time it’s not just dipping a toe in. The firm announced a phased rollout of direct Bitcoin and Ethereum trading for retail clients, bringing crypto access into its core platform in a way that feels… overdue, honestly.
The new service, called Schwab Crypto, will allow users to trade and manage digital assets alongside stocks and other investments across Schwab.com, its mobile app, and thinkorswim. It’s a simple idea, but one that removes a lot of friction for investors who don’t want to juggle multiple platforms.
Built Around What Retail Investors Actually Want
Schwab says the product is designed based on what crypto investors have been asking for, low and transparent pricing, strong security, and a platform they already trust. Pricing is set at 75 basis points per trade, which isn’t the cheapest out there, but it comes with the weight of a well-established financial brand behind it.
Clients will also get access to research, educational tools, and 24/7 support, which adds a layer of confidence that newer crypto-native platforms sometimes lack. It’s less about innovation and more about reliability, and that might be exactly what a large segment of the market wants right now.
How the Structure Works
Under the hood, Schwab is keeping things fairly structured. Clients will hold their crypto in a separate Schwab Crypto account that links directly to their brokerage account, creating a clean but connected setup.
Charles Schwab Premier Bank will act as custodian, while Paxos handles sub-custody and trade execution, meaning the infrastructure is split across trusted partners. It’s a controlled approach, designed to reduce risk while still offering direct exposure.
A Bigger Push Into Digital Assets
This move doesn’t come out of nowhere, it builds on Schwab’s existing presence in crypto-related products. The firm already offers access to ETFs, futures, and options tied to digital assets, and its clients reportedly hold about 20% of spot crypto ETPs.
Looking ahead, Schwab plans to expand the offering by adding more assets and enabling deposits and withdrawals, which would allow users to bring in external crypto holdings. That’s when things start to get more interesting, as the platform evolves from access point to full ecosystem.
Timing That Matches Strong Growth
The rollout also comes during a period of strong growth for the company. Schwab added 1.3 million new brokerage accounts in the first quarter of 2026, alongside $140 billion in net new assets, while revenue climbed 16% year over year to a record $6.5 billion.
With trading activity hitting new highs as well, the move into crypto feels less like a gamble and more like a calculated expansion. Schwab isn’t chasing hype, it’s positioning itself for where investor demand is clearly heading next.
