Charles Schwab has launched direct Bitcoin and Ether trading for retail clients as of October 16, 2026. The service is integrated into Schwab accounts and operates through the firm's Premier Bank, with Paxos managing execution and sub-custody. Each transaction incurs a fee of 0.75%.
The brokerage intends to expand its digital asset offerings by adding more tokens before the end of the year. CEO Rick Wurster identified crypto trading as a new revenue stream for the company, noting that its clients currently hold roughly 20% of all assets invested in spot crypto ETFs.
Analysts at Schwab highlight that Bitcoin maintains strong fundamentals, supported by nearly $60 billion in ETF inflows recorded since early 2024. The firm also reports that Bitcoin volatility has decreased to approximately 40, down from the previous range of 50 to 60.
The research team estimates the current market capitalization of Bitcoin at $1.6 trillion, while the tokenization of real-world assets has reached $50 billion. Schwab continues to monitor regulatory developments in the US, particularly regarding the classification of Bitcoin and Ether as digital commodities.
