Charles Schwab to Launch Schwab Crypto™ Offering Direct Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum Trading
Westlake, Texas – April 16, 2026 — Charles Schwab today announced the forthcoming launch of Schwab Crypto™, a new platform enabling retail investors to trade spot cryptocurrencies directly. The service will begin a phased rollout in the coming weeks, bringing bitcoin and ethereum trading to Schwab clients alongside the firm’s existing wide range of investing, trading, wealth management, and banking services.
A New Chapter in Schwab’s Crypto Offering
Schwab Crypto™ is designed to provide clients with transparent, low-cost access to two of the largest and most established cryptocurrencies—bitcoin and ethereum—while integrating comprehensive educational content and dedicated professional support. The new service aims to address key concerns identified in a recent Charles Schwab survey of nearly 500 current and prospective crypto investors, which highlighted the importance of low, transparent pricing, brand trust, and security assurance when selecting a platform for cryptocurrency trading.
Jonathan Craig, Head of Retail Investing at Charles Schwab, emphasized the company’s commitment to meeting client demand for a holistic financial experience: “With Schwab Crypto, clients who want direct access to the asset class can trade it alongside their other investments, while benefiting from the service, education, and research they expect from us.”
Features of Schwab Crypto at Launch
Schwab Crypto™ will offer:
- Direct Trading: Ability to buy and sell bitcoin and ethereum, which combined represent roughly 75% of crypto market capitalization.
- Educational Resources: Extensive digital assets education, including expert insights from the Schwab Center for Financial Research and crypto-focused content through Schwab Coaching®, designed to help investors understand and incorporate digital assets into diversified portfolios.
- Integrated Platform Experience: Clients can view and trade cryptocurrencies and traditional investments side-by-side on Schwab.com, Schwab Mobile, and the award-winning thinkorswim® trading platform.
- 24/7 Professional Support: Access to Schwab’s well-regarded customer service team available around the clock via phone or chat.
- Competitive Pricing: Transaction fees set at 75 basis points (0.75%) based on the dollar value of each trade, among the lowest in the industry.
Schwab also plans to expand the list of supported cryptocurrencies over time and to enable deposit and withdrawal capabilities, allowing clients to transfer existing digital asset holdings into their Schwab accounts.
Custody and Trading Infrastructure
To provide custody and trade execution, Schwab is partnering with Paxos Trust Company, an OCC-regulated blockchain infrastructure provider that delivers enterprise-grade, secure custody and regulatory-compliant services. Paxos will handle sub-custody and trade execution, while Charles Schwab Premier Bank, SSB (“CSPB”) will serve as the official custodian for client digital assets.
Joe Vietri, Head of Digital Assets at Charles Schwab, noted: “Paxos is a strong partner for blockchain infrastructure. Their regulatory standing and digital asset expertise will help us deliver the seamless, integrated experience our clients expect from Schwab."
Enhancing Schwab’s Crypto Ecosystem
Charles Schwab has been a leader in offering crypto-related investment options, with clients currently holding approximately 20% of spot crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs). The introduction of direct spot trading further strengthens Schwab’s market position, complementing existing offerings such as crypto futures, options on spot crypto ETPs, crypto-related ETFs, and mutual funds focused on the digital asset ecosystem.
About Charles Schwab and Schwab Crypto™
Charles Schwab believes in empowering individual investors to build a better financial future. The company has a reputation for innovation and client-centric solutions, and Schwab Crypto™ represents its latest step in making the digital asset class accessible, understandable, and secure within a trusted and comprehensive financial platform.
Clients interested in receiving updates, educational resources, and early access opportunities to Schwab Crypto can sign up at Schwab.com/cryptocurrency.
Important Disclosures
- Schwab Crypto accounts are offered by Charles Schwab Premier Bank, SSB, Member FDIC.
- Cryptocurrencies traded via Schwab Crypto are not FDIC insured, are not deposits, and may lose value.
- Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile and speculative.
- Schwab Crypto accounts will be available in most U.S. states except New York and Louisiana, and not available in U.S. territories or international jurisdictions.
- Not all applicants will be eligible to open accounts.
- The service is subject to regulatory approvals and ongoing compliance.
Full disclosures and additional information are available on the Charles Schwab website.
Media Contact:
Margaret Farrell
Director, Enterprise Communications
Charles Schwab Corporation
For more information, visit aboutschwab.com.
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