Financial services giant Charles Schwab is set to enhance its offerings by allowing members to buy and hold spot Bitcoin and Ethereum directly on its platform. A new cryptocurrency section has been added to its website under the “Investment Products” dropdown menu, signaling the imminent launch of Schwab Crypto.
According to a spokesperson, the firm is on track to introduce its spot crypto offering in the first half of 2026, focusing initially on Bitcoin and Ethereum. Interested customers can register online for updates and the possibility of early access to the new features.
This development follows statements made by CEO Rick Wurster in early March, where he hinted at a limited rollout of the service in the second quarter of 2026, with plans for an expanded release thereafter. However, it’s worth noting that only U.S. residents will have access to Schwab Crypto, with particular exclusions for residents in New York and Louisiana.
This move marks a significant milestone in the firm’s engagement with cryptocurrencies, considering it manages over $12.2 trillion in assets. Although Schwab has previously offered limited exposure to cryptocurrencies through exchange-traded products and crypto-related stocks—such as American crypto exchange Coinbase and Bitcoin treasury firm MicroStrategy—they have been cautious in their approach to the broader crypto market.
The firm had indicated it was seeking greater regulatory clarity before delving further into crypto investments. Recently, they have shown interest in stablecoin exposure as well. During an earnings call last year, Wurster expressed the firm’s ambitions to include stablecoins in their offerings, emphasizing their potential role in blockchain transactions.
As for Schwab’s shares, they ended the trading day on a positive note, rising over 1.5% to approximately $93.77, reflecting a robust 19% gain over the past year. This performance is particularly noteworthy compared to Bitcoin, which has experienced an 18.5% drop during the same period, trading at around $66,864 and sitting 47% below its all-time high of $126,080. Ethereum is similarly struggling, currently priced near $2,052—down nearly 59% from its peak last August.
As Schwab prepares to deepen its crypto offerings, the financial landscape may be poised for further transformation, potentially encouraging more mainstream adoption of digital assets.
