#CharlesSchwabtoRollOutSpotCryptoTrading *Charles Schwab to Roll Out Spot Crypto Trading – April 2026*
Yes, Schwab just made it official. After months of signaling, they announced the details this week.
*What Schwab is launching: “Schwab Crypto”*
- *Start date*: Phased rollout to retail clients *in the coming weeks* of April 2026. Broader launch planned for *H1 2026*
- *Assets*: *Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH)* to start. They make up ∼75% of crypto market cap. More coins planned later
- *Access*: 46M Schwab accounts can get it. $11.9T-$12.22T in client assets
*How it works*
1. *Separate “Schwab Crypto” account* linked to your brokerage account
2. *View & trade crypto alongside stocks/bonds* in Schwab web, mobile, and thinkorswim
3. *Custody*: Charles Schwab Premier Bank, SSB holds assets
4. *Execution*: Paxos handles subcustody and trade execution
5. *Eligibility*: US retail clients, excluding NY and Louisiana at launch
*Fees & features*
- *Fee*: *0.75% per trade* (75 basis points)
- Higher than Kraken’s 0.25-0.40% but in line with Coinbase’s 0.40-0.60% for small traders
- *No custody fees* to hold crypto at Schwab
- *Transfers*: No deposits/withdrawals at launch, but planned for later
*Why now*
1. *Client demand*: CEO Rick Wurster: _“They’ve been begging us to launch this so they can move their crypto assets to us”_
2. *Regulatory shift*: Trump administration changes made it easier for banks to hold digital assets
3. *Consolidation play*: Schwab clients already hold ∼20% of spot crypto ETPs. Now they can hold actual BTC/ETH 6941
*What Schwab already had vs new*
*Before*: Crypto ETFs, Bitcoin futures, Schwab Crypto Thematic ETF (STCE)
*New*: Actual ownership of BTC/ETH, not just ETF/futures exposure
*Competitive angle*
Direct challenge to Robinhood and crypto-native exchanges. Schwab’s pitch: low transparent pricing, brand familiarity, security. Stock fell 4.7% on the news as investors digested the Robinhood competition.
#CharlesSchwabtoRollOutSpotCryptoTrading $CHZ
