- Charles Schwab targets a mid-2027 launch of crypto spot trading and custody services.
- This follows Schwab Crypto’s retail rollout, which already offers direct BTC and ETH trading.
- Growing demand from advisors whose clients already hold crypto is driving the expansion.
Charles Schwab is preparing to bring direct crypto trading to financial advisors. The wealth management giant, which oversees more than $10 trillion in client assets, is targeting a mid-2027 launch for crypto spot trading, transfers, and custody services on its advisor platform.
The timeline remains subject to change, but the plan marks Schwab’s biggest crypto expansion yet in the advisory business. The decision comes just months after Schwab rolled out spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading for select retail clients.
Advisors Want More Than ETFs
Until now, most advisors using Schwab have gained crypto exposure through exchange-traded products. However, the approach is beginning to change.
According to Schwab Advisor Services Managing Director Jalina Kerr, advisors are increasingly encountering clients who already own crypto on external platforms and want those assets managed alongside traditional investments.
Rather than directing clients to separate exchanges and custodians, advisors are seeking a way to hold stocks, bonds, cash, and crypto within the same custody relationship.
The planned platform would allow advisors to trade crypto directly, transfer digital assets into Schwab accounts, and hold those assets in Schwab’s custody.
Kerr also noted that crypto does not fit neatly into the framework used for traditional brokerage products. Cash transfers, settlement processes, custody rules, and asset movement require different operational controls, which is one reason Schwab has taken a measured approach to launching the service.
Still, demand appears to be growing. While crypto ETFs remain the preferred choice for many advisors, direct ownership is attracting more attention as clients seek greater control over their digital assets.
Schwab’s Advisor Push Builds on Retail Crypto Offering
Schwab entered direct crypto trading earlier this year through Schwab Crypto. The service allows eligible retail clients to buy and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum while maintaining a separate crypto account.
Charles Schwab Premier Bank acts as custodian, while blockchain infrastructure provider Paxos handles trade execution and sub-custody. The platform charges a 75-basis-point trading fee and is available in most US states, excluding New York and Louisiana.
The advisor rollout would extend those capabilities into the firm’s wealth management business, where trillions of dollars sit under advisory oversight.
As of March 2026, Schwab reported $11.77 trillion in client assets and 39.1 million active brokerage accounts. During the first quarter, the company generated $6.48 billion in revenue, up 16% year-over-year, while adjusted net income rose 38% to $2.6 billion.
Related: Charles Schwab to Launch Crypto Trading for Retail Clients
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