Charles Schwab to Launch Crypto Trading in the First Half of 2026

Highlights:

• Charles Schwab confirms crypto trading launch in early 2026 with investor support plans.
• CEO Rick Wurster says no regulatory hurdles are stopping Schwab’s crypto expansion plans.
• Schwab plans to begin with pilot testing before offering crypto trading to all clients.

Charles Schwab, one of the world’s biggest asset managers with $11.6 trillion under management, has officially confirmed its timeline for entering the crypto market. CEO Rick Wurster announced on November 5 that the company will introduce spot crypto trading in the first half of 2026. He also made it clear that the firm will extend direct support to digital asset investors. “We’re going to be there,” Wurster said, signaling the company’s long-term commitment to the growing crypto sector. According to Companies MarketCap, Schwab currently holds $49.45 billion in assets on its balance sheet.

Charles Schwab Advances Toward Crypto Trading Launch

Charles Schwab’s latest decision places it alongside top U.S. financial giants, moving deeper into the world of digital assets. In the past year, more banks have started offering crypto-related services, encouraged by clearer U.S. regulatory guidelines. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) cleared national banks to offer crypto custody, trading, and stablecoin services without special approval if they manage risk effectively.

🚨JUST IN: $7 trillion Charles Schwab CEO Rick Wurster says the company plans to launch crypto trading in the first half of 2026.

The bullish headlines just keep coming. Higher asset prices… not so much. pic.twitter.com/IWdRiiiZUQ

— Tim Warren (@TimWarrenTrades) November 5, 2025

Wurster noted that no regulatory barriers are stopping the company from advancing its cryptocurrency plans. Tyrone V. Toss Jr., a financial consultant at 401 Financial, confirmed that Charles Schwab’s crypto trading rollout is progressing as expected. However, he admitted that there’s still some concern about making sure the technology and overall operations run smoothly.

Wurster also explained that the firm aims to launch its crypto trading services in a carefully planned way. The approach involves running pilot tests first, then gradually expanding access to a small group of clients before opening it up to a larger client base.

Ric Edelman, CEO of the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals, said financial rules are becoming clearer. He is helping Schwab with its crypto launch and expects new laws soon. Edelman believes this will make it easier for banks, brokers, custodians, asset managers, and advisors to work with crypto smoothly.

Major U.S. Banks Strengthen Crypto Presence

Leading banks like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Morgan Stanley are now positioning themselves firmly in the crypto arena. JPMorgan recently began letting clients purchase Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). CEO Jamie Dimon clarified that while the bank won’t hold the assets directly, it will record them for clients on official statements.

JPMorgan’s blockchain-based JPM Coin already processes over $1 billion in transactions daily, modernizing older systems that lacked 24/7 functionality. Dimon noted that such technology could eventually replace outdated financial mechanisms.

At the same time, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan said the institution is fully prepared to handle crypto payments once clear regulations arrive. “When the rules settle and make it practical for business, the banking sector will step in quickly,” he commented. Morgan Stanley is also strengthening its blockchain infrastructure and exploring ways to add digital asset trading options.

🚨 Morgan Stanley's E*Trade to List Digital Assets in 1H26 in Partnership with ZeroHash.$MS Will Also Invest in ZeroHash's $100M Raise Led by $IBKR, at a Reported $1B Valuation. Additional participants include SoFi, Jump, and some Apollo funds. pic.twitter.com/KcytikydvM

— matthew sigel, recovering CFA (@matthew_sigel) September 23, 2025