Charles Schwab to Bring Crypto Spot Trading to Financial Advisors in 2027

Highlights:

• Charles Schwab plans to roll out crypto spot trading for advisors on its custody platform.
• The service would support direct crypto trading, transfers, and custody tools for registered investment advisors.
• Jalina Kerr said Schwab is still finalizing details because crypto works differently from traditional brokerage products.

Charles Schwab plans to launch cryptocurrency spot trading for financial advisors on its custody platform in 2027. According to a Citywire Pro Buyer report on Monday, Schwab is working toward a possible mid-2027 rollout, although the company has not set an exact launch date yet.

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The planned service would allow registered investment advisors to access direct crypto trading, transfers, and custody tools for client accounts. It would expand Schwab’s crypto push beyond retail investors and bring digital assets closer to its wealth management business.

$10 Trillion Custody Giant Charles Schwab Targets 2027 Launch of Crypto Spot Trading for Advisors

Wealth management giant Charles Schwab, which oversees more than $10 trillion in client assets, is targeting a 2027 rollout of crypto spot trading, transfer, and custody… pic.twitter.com/fLfJd5CLC2

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) June 2, 2026

Jalina Kerr, managing director at Schwab Advisor Services, shared the update during a virtual media roundtable last week. She said the company is still working through the details because crypto does not operate like traditional brokerage products.

“When it comes to spot trading and the ability to transfer crypto assets and custody them, we’re on track for next year, probably more like the middle of the year; we don’t have exact dates,” Kerr said.

Charles Schwab Moves Crypto Access Toward Advisors

Schwab already launched spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading for some retail clients this year through Schwab Crypto. In April, the company announced that the service would start with a phased rollout to retail clients and would give them direct access to Bitcoin and Ethereum trading.

The company said retail users could trade crypto alongside traditional investments through Schwab.com, Schwab Mobile, and thinkorswim. Schwab also said the product would include education, research, and customer support for investors who want to understand digital assets before trading them.

Now, the company wants to bring similar access to advisors. The move could help advisors serve clients who already hold crypto on outside platforms. Many investors keep Bitcoin or Ethereum on crypto exchanges, but some want their advisor to view those assets as part of a wider financial plan.

Kerr said some advisors still prefer crypto exposure through exchange-traded products. These products are easier to hold in traditional accounts. However, she added that demand for direct crypto access has started to grow among advisors.

“If they have a client who is holding crypto assets somewhere else, and they really want their advisor to be responsible for helping them manage that conversation and have it be a part of the total wealth conversation, it’s going to be important for them to be able to custody those in a place that feels safe,” Kerr said.

Crypto Custody Needs Careful Planning

Schwab is moving carefully because crypto custody entails distinct risks and account rules. Traditional brokerage products follow established systems for settlement, transfers, and investor protection. Crypto assets work differently, so Schwab needs to build clear rules for how cash moves into and out of accounts.

The company’s retail crypto service uses a separate Schwab Crypto account offered by Charles Schwab Premier Bank. Paxos provides sub-custody and trade execution services for that product. Schwab has also warned that cryptocurrencies are volatile, not bank deposits, not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and not protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation.

Schwab has not shared full details about the advisor version yet. The company has not confirmed final pricing, supported coins, account limits, or transfer rules for advisors. 

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