Schwab Prepares to Enter Crypto Market with Bitcoin and Ethereum Spot Trading

Charles Schwab, a leading US financial services company, is poised to enter the cryptocurrency market with the launch of spot trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum in the first half of 2026. This move comes on the heels of Bitcoin's worst quarterly performance since early 2018, which saw the cryptocurrency decline by around 22%.

The announcement was confirmed by a spokesperson from Charles Schwab, who stated that the company is 'on schedule to launch our spot crypto offering in the first half of 2026, starting with Bitcoin and Ethereum.' Interested individuals are advised to sign up online for updates and early access to the service.

Charles Schwab's move into cryptocurrency trading marks a significant step forward for the company, which manages over $12.2 trillion in assets. The company has been exploring the crypto market amid heightened interest in the sector, with its CEO, Rick Wurster, noting that stablecoins are likely to be important for transactions on blockchains.

The launch of Charles Schwab's spot trading service is expected to establish another major brokerage in the crypto space, rivaling existing services from Fidelity and Robinhood. Analysts suggest that traders should prepare for heightened volatility ahead of the launch, driven by growing anticipation over the integration of traditional finance and decentralized assets.