On April 16, 2026, Charles Schwab announced through its press room and Business Wire that retail clients will soon be able to trade Bitcoin and Ethereum directly within its existing platform for stocks, funds, banking, and research. At the time of the announcement, Bitcoin was trading near $74,799 and Ether near $2,329, placing the launch in an active institutional asset cycle.
Phased rollout with research, education, and 24/7 support
Schwab Crypto initially supports only the two largest digital assets by market cap. The firm said the phased rollout will begin in the coming weeks, bundling trading with research, investor education, and 24/7 client support. Users will see digital assets alongside traditional holdings on web, mobile, and thinkorswim platforms. The company also plans to add more assets later and enable deposits and withdrawals.
Custody structure: Schwab Bank plus Paxos execution
The service uses a separate Charles Schwab Crypto account linked to a brokerage account. Schwab’s bank unit safeguards client assets and maintains records, while Paxos provides execution and sub-custody through its regulated infrastructure. The trading fee is set at 75 basis points per trade. Schwab disclosed that about 20% of spot digital asset ETPs are already held by its clients, signaling strong internal demand before direct trading became available.
Massive user base and first-day stock movement
Schwab Crypto benefits from a built-in audience few digital asset platforms can match. On the same day, the company reported record Q1 activity: 39.1 million brokerage accounts, $11.77 trillion in client assets, and 9.9 million daily average trades. However, initial accounts will not be available in New York, Louisiana, U.S. territories, or international markets. Schwab’s stock closed at $92.62 on April 16, down about 7.6%, even as it posted record quarterly profit.
Transparent pricing and brand trust remain key
A 2025 Schwab survey of 460 current and potential digital asset investors ranked low transparent pricing, trusted brand, and asset security as the top three decision factors. Schwab Crypto’s fee structure and custody model align closely with those priorities. If the service expands beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum with smooth transfers, it could help normalize regulated digital asset access for mainstream investors, even though volatility and loss risks persist.
Rather than a sudden revolution, this launch resembles a door quietly opening inside a familiar building. The market will watch for signs that digital assets are becoming standard brokerage infrastructure rather than hype.