Charles Schwab has opened a waitlist for its forthcoming Schwab Crypto account, inviting eligible Premier Bank clients to sign up for updates and possible early access to direct Bitcoin and Ethereum trading. Clients who join the waitlist will be among the first to execute crypto trades through the brokerage’s standard platform.

This move extends Schwab’s current crypto lineup, which includes spot Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded products, into direct asset trading. It marks a shift from fund-based exposure to direct market participation for digital assets, broadening client options within a single account.

Management emphasizes client demand, with Schwab clients holding roughly 20% of all U.S. crypto ETF assets as of mid-2025. The waitlist rollout reflects Schwab’s strategy to capture additional trading volume that might otherwise flow to specialized crypto exchanges.

Public materials continue to highlight digital asset volatility, security considerations and differing regulatory treatment, underscoring the risks of direct trading. The firm has not provided a specific launch date, keeping the timetable open as it gauges demand.