TLDR

  • Charles Schwab intends to debut spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading during the first half of 2026
  • The service will be provided via Charles Schwab Premier Bank through a dedicated “Schwab Crypto” account
  • A waitlist has been opened for those interested in early access ahead of the general release
  • Schwab oversees $11.9 trillion in assets for approximately 46 million accounts
  • The Schwab-supported EDX Markets is seeking a national bank charter from the OCC

(SeaPRwire) –   Charles Schwab is preparing to enable its clients to trade Bitcoin and Ethereum directly using a new “Schwab Crypto” account. The launch is slated for the first half of 2026.

The firm confirmed these details to CoinDesk on April 3, 2026. A waitlist is currently available for clients seeking early access.

The offering will be facilitated by Charles Schwab Premier Bank, SSB. CEO Rick Wurster noted that a restricted group of users may receive access this quarter, with a more comprehensive rollout to follow.

Wurster initially discussed the crypto trading strategy in July of last year. He explained that the objective was to enable clients to monitor their cryptocurrency holdings alongside traditional stocks and bonds in a single account.

Schwab currently provides various crypto-linked investment options, including crypto ETFs, bitcoin futures, and micro bitcoin futures. It also offers the Schwab Crypto Thematic ETF, which monitors firms involved in the digital asset industry.

The upcoming Schwab Crypto account represents a significant shift by allowing for the direct ownership of bitcoin and ether, rather than just holding futures or ETF shares.

A Competitive Push Into Cryptocurrency

Schwab is joined by other traditional financial institutions in this endeavor. Morgan Stanley has similarly revealed plans to provide crypto trading, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, via its E*TRADE platform.

These developments signal a growing trend among established financial entities to offer direct crypto access to their users. Given its scale, Schwab starts with a massive existing client base.

As of 2025, the firm reported managing $11.9 trillion in client assets across roughly 46 million accounts, representing a significant pool of potential crypto investors.

EDX Markets Pursues National Bank Charter

Separately, EDX Markets—a crypto exchange with backing from Schwab—is applying for a national bank charter through the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

The exchange is following the path of companies like Ripple and Coinbase, which have both obtained conditional approval for trust charter applications.

EDX CEO Tony Acuña-Rohter stated that the next phase of crypto adoption will be driven by major banks. He believes that securing a national trust charter will allow EDX to better serve those institutions.

Schwab’s internal implementation strategy involves initial testing by staff, followed by a limited client pilot and an eventual public launch.

The firm has not yet released information regarding fees or other specifics for the Schwab Crypto account. The waitlist remains open on the company’s website.

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