INSTITUTIONAL | Leading Global Brokerage Firm Launches Direct Crypto Trading for its Retail Clientele

Brokerage giant, Charles Schwab, has launched direct cryptocurrency trading for an initial group of retail clients allowing them to buy and sell bitcoin and ether through a dedicated “Schwab Crypto” account as traditional financial firms deepen their push into digital assets.

The rollout gives eligible clients access to spot trading in Bitcoin and Ethereum alongside traditional investments on Schwab’s platform, the company said.

Schwab said the service is being introduced in phases, with the first wave of users gaining access this week. The company had previously signaled plans to launch spot crypto trading in the first half of 2026 after years of offering only indirect exposure through crypto-linked ETFs and futures products.

The move places Schwab among a growing number of Wall Street firms expanding into digital assets as demand for regulated crypto products rises in the United States. Rivals including Morgan Stanley and Interactive Brokers have also moved to broaden crypto trading access for retail clients.

According to reports, Schwab’s crypto offering initially supports bitcoin and ether trading and charges a 0.75% transaction fee. Some states, including New York and Louisiana, are excluded from the launch because of licensing requirements.

Stay tuned to BitKE on institutional crypto adoption globally. 

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