Key Takeaways
- Charles Schwab plans to launch spot Bitcoin trading within 12 months.
- CEO Rick Wurster cited a 400% spike in crypto content visits as proof of rising demand.
- The $10 trillion firm expects clearer regulations under Trump to support the rollout.
Charles Schwab, one of the largest investment firms in the world with over $10 trillion in assets under management, announced it will roll out spot Bitcoin trading for clients by 2026.
The move was confirmed by newly appointed CEO Rick Wurster during the 2025 Spring Business Update and several media appearances.
We are hopeful and likely to be able to launch direct spot crypto. Our goal is to do that in the next 12 months.
Current access & future competition
Currently, Schwab clients can access Bitcoin through ETFs and futures, but not through direct spot trading.
The upcoming service would allow millions of customers to buy and sell Bitcoin directly via their brokerage accounts, placing Schwab in direct competition with platforms like Coinbase and Robinhood.
Growing user interest
Wurster emphasized rising user interest as a key driver.
He said:
Visits to our crypto content have gone up 400% and 70% of those visitors are not yet Schwab clients. As people in the industry are thinking about crypto, they’d love to work with a trusted brand—and we’re that firm.
Regulatory environment
Regulatory uncertainty has been a longstanding barrier.
Former CEO Walt Bettinger previously cited lack of clarity as the reason Schwab held back.
But under President Trump’s current administration, Schwab now expects a more favorable regulatory environment.
Market impact
Analysts are closely watching how Schwab’s entry could impact Bitcoin’s price, currently hovering near $87,000.
Many expect this move could replicate the momentum seen after the 2024 ETF launches by BlackRock and Fidelity.
