Charles Schwab says it expects to launch spot trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum in the first half of 2026. For a firm that manages nearly $12 trillion in client assets, the move would shift its crypto offering from indirect exposure toward direct ownership, letting users buy and hold the actual coins instead of relying only on market-linked products.
At present, Schwab clients can access crypto through ETFs and futures contracts. Those products track price movements, but they do not give investors possession of the underlying digital assets. Under the planned update, clients would be able to buy and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum in a way that sits alongside their stock and bond activity.
Service planned through Charles Schwab Premier Bank
The company said the new crypto trading service is expected to be offered through Charles Schwab Premier Bank. The structure is aimed at keeping assets secure while staying within established financial rules. Once available, investors would be able to view their Bitcoin and Ethereum next to traditional holdings in a single dashboard.
Schwab is framing the product around simplicity and safety. Robinhood and Fidelity already provide direct crypto trading, but Schwab is taking a slower approach. It wants its trading infrastructure, including the professional platform thinkorswim, to be ready before the 2026 spot rollout goes live.
Rising client demand and clearer rules shaped the plan
According to the report, client demand is the main driver behind the decision. Schwab has seen a sharp increase in requests from customers who want direct access to digital assets. Many prefer to keep their money in one established platform rather than splitting activity across several apps.
Regulatory changes are also part of the picture. The report points to measures such as the CLARITY Act and the SEC-CFTC Joint Interpretation issued in March 2026, which it says have provided clearer guidance on how digital assets should be handled. That has made it easier for a large financial institution to prepare direct trading services with less legal uncertainty.
Waitlist is already open for interested clients
Schwab has already opened a waitlist on its website ahead of the launch. The report says clients who want to join the crypto trading program when it becomes available will only need an existing brokerage account.
The initial offering is expected to cover Bitcoin and Ethereum only. The company may add more coins later, but the current plan centers on a secure, integrated entry point for investors seeking direct crypto exposure inside a familiar brokerage environment.