Charles Schwab launches spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading for retail

Charles Schwab has begun a phased rollout of Schwab Crypto™, giving retail clients direct spot trading in Bitcoin and Ethereum with a 75‑basis‑point commission [1]. The launch embeds crypto into the brokerage’s $12 trillion asset platform, aiming to capture new digital‑asset flows from investors who prefer a familiar, regulated environment [3].

Product details and pricing

Schwab Crypto provides a dedicated crypto account linked to each brokerage account, with Charles Schwab Premier Bank as custodian and Paxos handling trade execution and sub‑custody [1]. The service offers “low, transparent pricing” at 75 bps, which the firm claims is among the industry’s lowest [1]. Clients can view and trade crypto alongside stocks, ETFs and retirement accounts on Schwab.com, Schwab Mobile and the thinkorswim platform [1].

Market context and potential impact

Bitcoin was trading near $79,000 as the rollout began, a level well above its June‑2026 dip to $66,000 but still below the October 2025 peak of $126,198 [3][2]. By adding spot crypto to its suite, Schwab moves beyond indirect exposure through ETFs and futures, potentially shifting retail demand from dedicated crypto exchanges to a mainstream brokerage channel [3]. The firm already sees roughly 20 % of spot crypto exchange‑traded products held by its clients, suggesting a sizable existing appetite for digital assets [1].

Competitive landscape

Schwab’s entry follows a broader Wall Street trend of integrating crypto, highlighted by its recent 24/7 Bitcoin futures offering on thinkorswim [2]. The combination of spot trading, futures and a growing suite of crypto‑related ETFs positions Schwab as a one‑stop shop for both traditional and digital investments, challenging pure‑play crypto platforms on convenience and brand trust.

What to watch

• Bitcoin price at key levels: $80,000 resistance and $70,000 support.
• The rollout schedule for additional cryptocurrencies and the introduction of deposit/withdrawal capabilities.
• Regulatory developments affecting brokerage‑offered crypto custody, especially any SEC or state rulings that could alter the service’s scope.

Schwab’s move underscores the accelerating convergence of traditional finance and digital assets, raising the question of how much retail crypto volume will migrate from specialized exchanges to established brokerage platforms.