Charles Schwab CEO Eyes Spot Bitcoin Trading by April 2026

Charles Schwab CEO Eyes Spot Bitcoin Trading by April 2026

Charles Schwab Corp may soon become the latest major financial institution to directly enter the Bitcoin trading arena. CEO Rick Wurster revealed that the firm is aiming to roll out spot Bitcoin trading services for its clients by April 2026, citing significant demand and a shifting regulatory landscape.

According to a report from RIABiz, traffic to Schwab's crypto-related web pages has surged by over 400%, which Wurster sees as a strong indicator of rising investor interest in digital assets.

“Our expectation is that with the changing regulatory environment, we are hopeful and likely to be able to launch direct spot crypto. Our goal is to do that in the next 12 months, and we are on a great path to be able to do that,” Wurster stated.

This planned launch marks a clear step forward in Schwab's evolving stance on crypto. The firm, traditionally seen as a cautious player in the financial space, now appears to be warming up to digital assets in response to growing client demand and a more favorable political climate.

A New Era Under CEO Rick Wurster

Wurster, who took over as CEO in early 2025, has made clear that Schwab is ready to adapt to investor needs in the digital age. In a November 2024 interview with Yahoo Finance, he expressed interest in expanding Schwab’s crypto offerings, contingent on the right regulatory conditions.

Those conditions, according to Wurster, began to shift following the re-election of Donald Trump. The administration's approach to digital asset regulation is expected to be more accommodating, creating new opportunities for financial institutions to expand crypto services.

Rick Wurster speaking to Yahoo Finance in November 2024. Source: Yahoo Finance

Despite this forward-looking stance, Wurster admitted he has personally missed the crypto wave.

“I feel silly for not owning any cryptocurrency,” he said, acknowledging the asset class’s substantial returns in recent years.

Strategic Partnership with Trump Media

In January 2025, Schwab took a significant step toward integrating digital assets with traditional finance by partnering with Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG). Together, they are developing "Truth.Fi" — a platform designed to merge cryptocurrency tools with conventional financial services.

Truth.Fi is pitched as a disruptive alternative to legacy banking, with TMTG CEO and White House official Devin Nunes stating that the platform will provide solutions for users concerned about “cancellation, censorship, debanking, and privacy violations committed by big tech and woke corporations.”

The partnership aims to offer exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and custom cryptocurrency services, further blurring the lines between TradFi and the decentralized financial world.

TradFi Embraces Crypto

Schwab’s anticipated move into spot Bitcoin trading underscores a broader trend of traditional financial institutions warming up to digital assets. As regulatory frameworks become clearer and investor demand accelerates, firms like Schwab are positioning themselves to remain competitive in a changing financial landscape.

If the April 2026 target is met, Schwab clients could gain direct access to Bitcoin trading through one of the most trusted names in traditional finance—signaling a significant milestone in the mainstream adoption of crypto.