Charles Schwab, the brokerage giant managing $12.15 trillion in client assets, is preparing to launch Schwab Crypto, a dedicated account designed to give users direct access to buy and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum.
What Charles Schwab Has Announced With Schwab Crypto
The firm’s official cryptocurrency page confirms that Schwab Crypto is “coming soon” and invites users to sign up for updates and early access. The account will be offered through Charles Schwab Premier Bank, SSB, positioning it as a regulated gateway rather than a standalone exchange.
Schwab’s FAQ states that investors cannot currently buy or sell individual cryptocurrencies through a standard brokerage account but will soon be able to apply for a separate Schwab Crypto account. The product is limited to Bitcoin and Ethereum based on currently available details.
According to unconfirmed reports, the product may already be closer to a full public rollout than the official page suggests. Schwab’s own messaging, however, lists only an early-access signup with no confirmed launch date.
Schwab’s disclosures make the regulatory framing clear. Cryptocurrencies purchased through Schwab Crypto are not securities, are not protected by SIPC, are not insured by the FDIC, and may lose value. Accounts will be available in all U.S. states except New York and Louisiana, subject to review and approval.
How Schwab Crypto Could Appeal to 38.7 Million Brokerage Clients
Schwab reported 38.7 million active brokerage accounts as of January 2026. A crypto product embedded in that ecosystem gives millions of traditional investors a familiar on-ramp to Bitcoin and Ethereum without requiring them to navigate crypto-native platforms.
The accessibility angle is central to the announcement. Schwab Crypto is framed as a “gateway” for users, not a technical trading terminal. For investors already managing stocks, bonds, and funds through Schwab, adding Bitcoin or Ethereum exposure inside the same financial relationship removes a significant friction point.
The move follows the path set by Fidelity, which already offers eligible users the ability to buy, sell, and transfer Bitcoin and Ethereum through Fidelity Crypto. Schwab’s entry would make it the second major U.S. full-service brokerage to offer direct spot crypto access alongside traditional investment accounts.
That competitive dynamic matters. Fidelity’s live crypto offering has already demonstrated that brokerage clients will use integrated crypto products when offered. Schwab entering the same space with a larger client base could accelerate the shift toward broader market participation in digital assets.
Why the Schwab Crypto Launch Matters for Bitcoin and Ethereum
Bitcoin traded near $66,853 at the time of research, while Ethereum sat at approximately $2,052. The broader crypto sentiment, as measured by the Fear and Greed Index, registered at 9, placing it in “Extreme Fear” territory.
A major brokerage opening crypto access during a period of depressed sentiment could serve as a demand catalyst. Schwab’s $12.15 trillion asset base dwarfs the client pools of most crypto-native exchanges, and even a small percentage of those assets rotating into Bitcoin or Ethereum would represent meaningful new capital.
The launch also arrives as Bitcoin navigates a technically sensitive range. A recent liquidation map analysis identified $65,000 as a key support level with a potential squeeze zone near $68,000, making the current price window relevant for new entrants considering their first allocation.
Schwab’s move reflects a broader pattern of legacy financial institutions building direct crypto products rather than limiting exposure to ETFs or futures. While spot Bitcoin ETFs opened one avenue for traditional investors, a dedicated crypto account lets users hold and trade the underlying assets directly.
Macro conditions may further shape demand for these products. With Fed rate hold expectations strengthening after the latest jobs data, investors watching monetary policy signals could view a crypto allocation as a portfolio diversifier, and having that option inside a trusted brokerage simplifies the decision.
No specific launch date, fee structure, or additional supported assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum have been confirmed. Schwab’s official page continues to list the product as coming soon, with early-access signups as the only current action available to interested clients.
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.
