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Charles Schwab announced the launch of Schwab Crypto on April 16, 2026, a spot trading service that will begin a phased rollout to retail clients in the coming weeks, starting with direct trading in Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The brokerage giant said <a href="https://pressroom.aboutschwab.com/press-releases/press-release/2026/Charles-Schwab-Announces-Details-of-Spot-Crypto-Trading-Launch/default.aspx" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">pricing will be 75 basis points</a> on the dollar value of each trade. Paxos, an OCC-regulated blockchain infrastructure provider, will handle sub-custody and trade execution for the service.
Jonathan Craig, a Schwab executive, said that "clients who want direct access to the asset class can trade it alongside their other investments." Joe Vietri added that "our goal is to be the destination of choice for retail investors."
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 "Clients who want direct access to the asset class can trade it alongside their other investments." — Jonathan Craig, Charles Schwab (press release)
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<h2 id="what-the-retail-rollout-means-for-crypto-access">What the Retail Rollout Means for Crypto Access</h2>
Schwab Crypto accounts will be available in all U.S. states except New York and Louisiana, and will not extend to U.S. territories or international jurisdictions. The accounts are offered through Charles Schwab Premier Bank, SSB.
The company noted that its clients already hold approximately 20% of all spot crypto exchange-traded products, signaling substantial existing demand among its user base. Schwab Crypto converts that indirect ETF exposure into direct spot access for the same client pool.
Schwab's product page confirms the service is "coming soon" and offers an early-access signup for clients looking to <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">buy and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum</a> through the platform. The crypto products are not securities, carry no SIPC protection or FDIC insurance, and may lose value.
<h2 id="bitcoin-holds-near-74-700-as-schwab-enters-the-market">Bitcoin Holds Near $74,700 as Schwab Enters the Market</h2>
Bitcoin traded at <a href="https://www.coingecko.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">$74,754</a> at press time, up 0.16% over the past 24 hours, with a market cap near $1.5 trillion and daily trading volume of roughly $43.6 billion.
<figure><img src="https://tokentopnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/tokentopnews__coinmarketcap__price-chart-61.jpg" alt="CoinMarketCap price chart for Charles Schwab announced the launch of Schwab Crypto, a spot trading service set to roll out to retail clients...">
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 CoinMarketCap market data view included to frame the latest move in Charles Schwab.
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The <a href="https://alternative.me/crypto/fear-and-greed-index/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Fear &amp; Greed Index</a> sat at 21, classified as Extreme Fear, suggesting Schwab's launch arrives during a period of broad market caution rather than speculative euphoria.
<h2 id="why-schwab-crypto-stands-out-in-traditional-finance">Why Schwab Crypto Stands Out in Traditional Finance</h2>
Schwab is one of the largest retail brokerages in the United States. Its decision to launch a branded spot crypto trading product, rather than limit offerings to ETF wrappers, marks a direct step into digital asset custody and execution.
The move follows a broader pattern of traditional financial institutions expanding into crypto. <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Firms across finance and DeFi</a> have been building bridges between conventional markets and blockchain-based assets throughout 2025 and 2026.
Schwab's choice of Paxos as its infrastructure partner adds a regulated custody layer. Paxos operates under OCC oversight, which may provide a compliance framework that addresses concerns from <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">past enforcement actions</a> across the crypto industry.
No precise go-live date has been announced beyond "in the coming weeks." Schwab has not indicated whether additional assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum will be added after the initial launch phase.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.<a href="https://tokentopnews.com/?p=30602" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Read original article on tokentopnews.com</a>

Schwab Crypto Launches Spot Trading for Retail Clients

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