Charles Schwab has confirmed it will offer spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading in the first half of 2026, marking a major step into crypto for one of America’s largest financial services firms.
A newly launched cryptocurrency page on Schwab’s website states that Schwab Crypto “is coming soon,” and a company spokesperson confirmed the launch timeline to Decrypt.
Limited rollout first
CEO Rick Wurster told Barron’s in early March that the offering would begin with a limited rollout in Q2, followed by a broader expansion.
The company stated:
“We remain on track to launch our spot crypto offer in the first half of 2026, starting with Bitcoin and Ethereum.”
A signup form indicates that only U.S. residents will be eligible, with the exception of those in New York and Louisiana.
A giant entering the market
Schwab manages more than $12.2 trillion in assets under management, making its entry into spot crypto a significant development for the industry.
The firm currently offers indirect crypto exposure through exchange-traded products and crypto-related equities, including Strategy and Coinbase.
Schwab had previously cited the need for regulatory clarity before expanding into crypto, and also expressed interest in stablecoins last year, with Wurster saying during an earnings call:
“Stablecoins are likely to play a role in transacting on blockchains and that’s something we do want to be able to offer.”
Where bitcoin stands now
Shares in Schwab (SCHW) closed Thursday up more than 1.5%, trading around $93.77—a roughly 19% gain over the past year.
That outpaces Bitcoin, which has fallen about 18.5% over the same period and was recently trading near $66,864, down 47% from its all-time high of $126,080.
