Charles Schwab is subject to a new crypto policy: an ambitious expansion led by Rick Wurst.

The giant financial services firm Charles Schwab is preparing for a significant rethink of its position in the digital asset market. New President and CEO Rick Wurster, who has led the company since the beginning of this year, announced plans to directly provide cryptocurrency services to its millions of clients. This decision signals a dramatic shift in the company’s strategy, from cautious observation to active participation in one of the most volatile financial markets.

Clients Are Already Ready: Cryptocurrency Activity Is Growing

Charles Schwab’s management has noticed that the company’s client base is already actively engaging with crypto assets through existing channels. Clients are using spot Bitcoin ETFs, which appeared on the market in early 2025, trading crypto futures, and investing in private funds related to digital assets. The company is satisfied with these results and believes its clients have sufficient qualifications and knowledge to work directly with cryptocurrencies.

However, management understands that demand far exceeds these indirect instruments. Wurster expressed an intention to go further: “We would also like to directly offer cryptocurrencies to our clients.” This simple but powerful intention reflects a fundamental reevaluation of Charles Schwab’s role in the digital asset market.

Waiting for the Green Light: The Role of Regulatory Environment

However, implementing this plan depends on one critical variable: changes in the regulatory environment. “We have been waiting for changes in the regulatory landscape… and we are confident that, in our opinion, this will happen soon,” Wurster explained in an interview with Yahoo Finance. The company clearly understands that providing direct cryptocurrency services requires clearer regulatory parameters.

This approach is unexpected given Charles Schwab’s historical caution. As early as 2021, the company stated that when it decided to enter the crypto market, it would be a “highly competitive” environment requiring a “transformative” approach. Although the company has long remained on the periphery of the crypto market, it has never blocked its clients’ access to spot Bitcoin ETFs, unlike competitor Vanguard.

Specific Actions: From Investments to Own Services

Behind these words are concrete actions. Charles Schwab is already one of the key investors in the cryptocurrency exchange EDX Markets, launched in 2022 by former top executives of the crypto industry, including experienced professionals from trading giant Citadel Securities. Additionally, in March 2022, the company launched the Schwab Crypto Thematic Index (STCE)—an ETF tracking companies that could benefit from the development or adoption of cryptocurrencies.

These investments and products serve as a testing ground for Charles Schwab’s larger entry into the market. The company is systematically increasing its understanding of the crypto industry, preparing for the moment when regulatory conditions will allow it to offer direct access to cryptocurrencies.

Broader Implications for the Industry

Charles Schwab’s decision to offer cryptocurrency services signals a shift among traditional financial institutions toward digital assets. When a giant like Charles Schwab officially announces ambitions in the crypto market, it lends legitimacy to the entire asset class and demonstrates that institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies is not a question of “if,” but “when.”

For many investors and traders, this move confirms their expectations about the future of cryptocurrencies and boosts confidence in this market. The service that Charles Schwab is preparing to offer will have significant potential for the majority of retail investors who are cautious about the crypto market and seek the security of an established financial institution.