Charles Schwab to Offer BTC and ETH Spot Trading by H1 2026
Charles Schwab expects to support direct spot trading of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) for clients by the first half of 2026. The brokerage — which manages trillions in client assets — says the timeline reflects progress on custody, security, platform integration and regulatory compliance. Schwab currently offers crypto exposure via spot ETFs, trusts and futures; native spot trading would simplify access for retail and institutional clients and broaden mainstream adoption. The firm has also seen surging interest in crypto education and is exploring stablecoin and tokenization services, though deployment depends on clarity from U.S. regulators and building institutional-grade custody. The move positions Schwab as a regulated challenger to crypto exchanges and could pressure competitors to accelerate their crypto offerings.
Bullish
Offering BTC and ETH spot trading through a major regulated brokerage is likely bullish for the prices of those assets. Short-term effects may be modest — the launch is scheduled for H1 2026 and faces regulatory and technical hurdles — but the announcement signals growing institutional acceptance and easier retail access, which tend to increase capital inflows over time. Native spot trading reduces frictions compared with ETF- or trust-based exposure and could broaden liquidity, lower bid-ask spreads, and attract new long-term holders. Competitor responses (faster product rollouts) would further deepen market participation. Risks that could limit immediate upside include regulatory setbacks, delayed launch, or custody incidents. Overall, net impact on BTC and ETH price trajectory is expected to be positive over the medium to long term.