Bitcoin News Today: Charles Schwab Launches Bitcoin Ethereum Spot Trading Boosting Institutional Interest

Charles Schwab is set to launch Bitcoin and Ethereum spot trading services, as announced by CEO Rick Wurster. This move marks the company's entry into direct cryptocurrency trading, which is expected to boost institutional interest in the digital asset market.

Schwab, which manages over $10 trillion in assets, aims to integrate these digital currencies with its existing financial products to fulfill client demand. Wurster stated that the launch is imminent and that it will accelerate the company's growth. The decision to offer spot trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum comes as regulatory changes have enabled traditional financial institutions to participate more actively in digital asset custody and trading.

Schwab's clients already have considerable exposure to digital assets through exchange-traded products, accounting for over 20% of the sector’s ETP market. However, digital assets represent only about $25 billion of Schwab clients’ total $10.8 trillion in wealth, indicating a significant opportunity for growth. Wurster noted that clients often keep 98% of their wealth with Schwab but hold most of their digital assets with other providers. This fragmentation has led to a desire among clients to consolidate their holdings due to trust in Schwab’s platform.

The company has observed a significant rise in user interest, with a 400% increase in traffic to its digital asset website earlier this year. Schwab had previously targeted an April 2026 launch window for these services, but the timeline has been accelerated in response to client demand and market conditions.

Schwab's entry into the digital asset market is also driven by the growing institutional interest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. A March survey indicated that 83% of institutional investors intend to increase their Bitcoin allocations in 2025. Many institutions expect to allocate at least 5% of their portfolios to digital assets this year, reinforcing the trend of widespread institutional exploration of stablecoins and other blockchain-based payment tools.

Schwab's range of Bitcoin-related products, including ETFs and mutual funds, positions the company to capitalize on this growing demand. The launch of spot trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum will allow Schwab to compete directly with digital exchanges such as Coinbase. By providing a comprehensive platform for managing both traditional and digital assets, Schwab aims to attract clients seeking a unified investment experience. This strategic move is expected to accelerate the company's growth and solidify its position as a leading financial services provider in the digital asset space.