Schwab Opens Bitcoin and Ethereum Trading for US Retail Clients
Charles Schwab has launched Bitcoin and Ethereum trading services for a select group of retail clients in the United States. This new offering allows users to trade spot Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) through Schwab Crypto accounts. The rollout follows the implementation of more crypto-friendly regulations under President Donald Trump, initiated over a year ago. On the announcement day, shares of Charles Schwab Corporation rose by approximately 1% to $91.18. Conversely, both Bitcoin and Ethereum experienced a decline of about 1%, trading around $78,850 and $2,242, respectively. These fluctuations reflect the mixed market responses to Schwab’s latest venture.
Schwab opens Bitcoin and Ethereum trading for US retail clients
The Schwab Crypto accounts rollout is planned as a phased process during Q2, with a larger expansion to follow later. The phased approach follows a successful employee pilot that preceded external access. Early access was granted to a cohort of eligible retail clients who had signed up on Schwab’s interest list, and those accounts began receiving access earlier this week. Rick Wurster said, “Following a successful employee pilot, we began rolling out access to Schwab Crypto accounts earlier this week to a cohort of eligible retail clients who signed up on our interest list.”
Schwab stated it will continue to expand access in the coming months as part of the planned phased rollout. The company indicated the phased Q2 rollout is intended to precede broader availability at a later date. Rick Wurster added, “We will continue rolling out access to eligible clients over the coming months.”
Schwab opens Bitcoin and Ethereum trading for US retail clients
Rick Wurster said in April that Schwab would likely gain exposure to stablecoins, stating the company views stablecoins as a potential area for future exposure. The statement was made in the context of ongoing product development at the firm, and it refers to prospective exposure rather than an existing product feature. Schwab described stablecoins as an area it would likely pursue as part of its broader crypto product considerations.
The article also notes that the firm may gain exposure to prediction markets in the future, and includes Wurster’s remark, “at some point, we will likely have prediction markets.” These comments were presented as potential future developments and not current offerings. The discussion framed prediction markets alongside other prospective product areas that Schwab is evaluating.
In summary, Schwab has identified stablecoins and prediction markets as potential areas for future exposure within its crypto product roadmap. Those remarks were made as part of ongoing product development discussions rather than descriptions of current services. The statements reflect an incremental approach to expanding Schwab’s crypto-related offerings.
