Schwab Prepares to Launch Direct Crypto Trading Service in Early 2026

Charles Schwab has announced plans to launch direct spot trading for Bitcoin and Ether in the first half of 2026, marking a significant milestone in the company's expansion into cryptocurrency trading. The service will allow clients to trade cryptocurrencies directly within their standard brokerage accounts, without the need for a separate wallet or third-party exchange.

The rollout will be phased, with internal employee testing followed by invited clients before full public availability. The service will be operated through Charles Schwab Premier Bank, a regulated banking subsidiary of the company. Clients in the US can currently sign up for early access, but New York and Louisiana residents are excluded due to local regulations.

The launch is seen as a major move by Schwab to tap into growing demand for cryptocurrency trading. The company has reported a 400% increase in traffic to its crypto site in 2025, with 70% of visitors being non-clients. This suggests that there is significant untapped demand for cryptocurrency trading services.