Charles Schwab Set to Launch Spot Crypto Trading in 2025

Charles Schwab, one of the world's largest brokerage firms managing $11.9 trillion in client assets, is preparing to enter the spot cryptocurrency market. The financial giant confirmed it is on track to roll out direct Bitcoin and Ethereum trading for retail and institutional clients in the first half of 2026, marking a significant expansion into digital assets.

The company has already opened a waitlist for its upcoming "Schwab Crypto" account, which will give users the ability to buy and sell the two most prominent cryptocurrencies directly through the platform. The service will be offered via Charles Schwab Premier Bank, SSB, integrating crypto trading into the same familiar environment where millions of investors already manage their stocks and bonds.

CEO Rick Wurster first signaled this direction in July 2024, citing strong client demand as the primary driver. His vision centers on a unified investment experience where digital assets sit alongside traditional securities in a single account view, removing the friction of using separate crypto-native platforms.

Schwab's entry into spot crypto trading could reshape the competitive landscape. Unlike standalone exchanges, Schwab brings an established trust factor, regulatory familiarity, and a massive existing client base that may prefer managing all investments under one roof. This positions the firm as a formidable challenger to crypto-native platforms that have long dominated retail digital asset trading.

The firm already provides indirect cryptocurrency exposure through Bitcoin futures, crypto-linked ETFs, and its own Schwab Crypto Thematic ETF (STCE), which tracks companies operating within the digital asset ecosystem. The addition of spot trading is the next logical step in its broader digital asset strategy.

With institutional interest in Bitcoin and Ethereum continuing to rise, Schwab's move could accelerate mainstream adoption and bring a new wave of traditional investors into the crypto market.