What to know:
- Schwab crypto gives select retail clients access to spot Bitcoin and Ether trading.
- New York and Louisiana are excluded from the rollout due to stricter licensing rules.
- Paxos manages custody, settlement, and trade execution for Schwab crypto accounts.
Charles Schwab launches spot Bitcoin and Ether trading for its first customers. The phased Schwab crypto rollout will give select users direct access to digital assets within one of the biggest brokerage platforms in the US market.
The company confirmed the launch on Tuesday in a post on X and said initial clients can trade Bitcoin and Ethereum at Schwab alongside their other investments.
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Schwab Crypto Expands Access With Paxos Support
The crypto trading service integrates into the same platform used for stocks and other investment products. But it will not roll out in New York and Louisiana, where the licensing requirements are stricter.
The move places Schwab deeper inside the digital asset market as traditional finance firms expand crypto access. It also comes while U.S. regulators and lawmakers work toward clearer rules for digital asset platforms.
Previously, Schwab said it was introduced through Charles Schwab Premier Bank. Both custody, settlement, and trade execution are undertaken by Paxos itself behind the platform.
Crypto assets will be held in separate Schwab crypto accounts. This means that they will not sit within traditional brokerage accounts, separating cryptocurrency positions from regular investment portfolios.
It results in a 0.75% fee for any crypto trade made through the company. They also added research tools, education, and market updates along with 24/7 customer service.
Joe Vietri, Schwab’s head of digital assets, said the firm aims to be a destination for retail entry into crypto markets. Jonathan Craig, who heads retail investing at Schwab, said clients will use digital assets without stepping outside the broader Schwab platform.
Schwab Crypto Expansion Plans Follow Internal Testing
The Schwab crypto launch is the result of months of internal testing. The company has also announced that it will be introducing additional cryptocurrencies and future transfer options for deposits and withdrawals.
Such scheduled changes may enhance this platform’s value for clients looking for broader access to assets. They could also enhance Schwab’s ability to compete with crypto-native exchanges.
The launch coincides with Washington debating digital asset laws. Legal analyst Bill Hughes recently stated that the proposed CLARITY Act may attract trading activity from offshore exchanges with its more transparent guidelines for U.S. platforms.
Schwab enters the market with a large financial scale. As of March 2026, the company held $11.77 trillion in client assets and had 39.1 million active brokerage accounts.
In the first quarter, it had an adjusted net income of $2.6 billion, up 38% from a year earlier. That scale infuses the Schwab crypto rollout with significance in the traditional finance and digital asset market.
The Schwab crypto rollout shows how brokerage firms are adding digital assets while using regulated account structures. The service will provide retail users with an additional way of accessing Bitcoin and Ethereum exposure.
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