Charles Schwab has confirmed plans to launch spot trading for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) in the first half of 2026, representing a significant entry into direct retail cryptocurrency services for the brokerage giant managing over $10 trillion in client assets.
CEO Rick Wurster shared the update on December 3, 2025, at the Reuters Next conference in New York. The service will start with internal employee testing in early 2026, followed by a limited pilot for select clients, before expanding to full platform access.
This phased approach aims to ensure stability and address any issues upfront. It will enable direct spot trading of BTC and ETH within Schwab accounts, leveraging the firm’s existing brokerage infrastructure. No other cryptocurrencies were mentioned at launch.
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Wurster highlighted surging client interest, including a 400% increase in traffic to Schwab’s crypto education resources. The move aligns with broader Wall Street trends, such as recent approvals for crypto ETFs by firms like Vanguard and portfolio allocation advice from Bank of America suggesting up to 4% in crypto.
Regulatory shifts in 2025, including eased rules from the OCC and FDIC, have cleared paths for such integrations without prior approvals. Details on fees remain unclear, but analysts speculate low or zero-cost trading similar to Schwab’s stock and ETF offerings could disrupt exchanges like Coinbase.
Wurster also expressed openness to crypto acquisitions if valuations align. The news broke amid a post-rebound cooldown in crypto prices, with BTC trading around $93,300 and ETH following suit.
Social media buzz on X, ties it to a wave of institutional adoption signals following a recent market dip, with users noting the timing alongside moves from other financial heavyweights. This could accelerate mainstream crypto integration, potentially boosting demand as Schwab’s 35+ million clients gain seamless access.
Fidelity Investments, a major brokerage with over $13 trillion in assets under administration, has been a pioneer in integrating cryptocurrency into traditional finance since 2018, when it launched Fidelity Digital Assets for institutional custody and trading.
As of December 2025, Fidelity offers retail clients direct spot trading of select cryptocurrencies alongside stocks and ETFs in a unified app and website experience. This positions them ahead of peers like Charles Schwab, which plans a similar launch in early 2026.
Fidelity Crypto® enables U.S. retail investors in eligible states to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies directly through brokerage-linked accounts. Key features include trading Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Solana (SOL).
Zero-commission trades, 24/7 access via the Fidelity app or website, with settlement in USD. Crypto is custodied by Fidelity Digital Assets, but users cannot currently transfer assets out withdrawals are via cash sales only.
Trade crypto in standard brokerage accounts; no dedicated crypto wallet required. Emphasizes high volatility, illiquidity risks, and lack of FDIC/SIPC insurance—suitable only for high-risk-tolerant investors.
Additionally, Fidelity offers indirect exposure through exchange-traded products (ETPs):Spot Crypto ETPs: Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) and Fidelity Ethereum Fund (FETH), with a 0.25% expense ratio (effective January 1, 2025). These trade like ETFs during market hours and can be held in brokerage or retirement accounts.
Crypto IRAs launched on April 2, 2025, the Fidelity Crypto IRA allows direct investments in BTC, ETH, and LTC within traditional, Roth, or rollover IRAs. This no-fee structure addresses client demand for tax-deferred crypto exposure, with assets custodied securely. It’s a game-changer for retirement savers, as prior options were limited to ETPs.
Annual contribution limits apply $7,000–$8,000 for 2025, depending on age. Fidelity continues to expand amid regulatory tailwinds, including the GENIUS Act for stablecoin guidelines and eased OCC/FDIC rules.
In September 2025, Fidelity announced Fidelity Trader+, a new trading platform set to roll out in 2026 with built-in crypto features, enhancing tools like real-time charting and multi-asset portfolios.
Fidelity’s moves align with surging demand: Their crypto education traffic rose 300% in 2025, and BTC/ETH ETPs saw $675M+ inflows in October alone. Amid a bull market BTC ~$93K as of December 4, analysts forecast more TradFi crypto products in 2026, potentially including active funds.
However, volatility persists—Q2 2025 outlooks warn of a maturing bull phase. For Fidelity clients, start by opening a Fidelity Crypto® account online requires risk acknowledgment. This positions 2026 as a pivotal year for crypto in traditional finance.