Charles Schwab Targets First-Half 2026 Launch for Spot Bitcoin and Ether Trading

Charles Schwab, traditionally focused on stocks, ETFs and banking services, is entering the spot cryptocurrency market through its banking arm. The service will allow clients to trade Bitcoin and Ether directly through their existing traditional investment accounts. The move signals a further push by major financial institutions into the retail crypto market and puts Schwab in competition with platforms such as Coinbase.

Charles Schwab originally planned to launch Schwab Crypto in the first half of 2026. The service is now available to an initial group of U.S. retail clients, with a waitlist in place as access expands in stages. It initially supports only spot Bitcoin and Ether purchases and sales and charges a 0.75% fee per transaction. Clients do not need to transfer funds separately to a cryptocurrency exchange.