- Schwab Crypto launches to 35M clients in weeks at BTC $74,110.
- Fear & Greed Index at 23 signals extreme fear and buy opportunity.
- Brokerages now handle 20% of U.S. crypto volume, Chainalysis says.
Charles Schwab launches Schwab Crypto in coming weeks for 35 million retail clients, FX News Group reported April 16, 2026. Clients trade BTC, ETH, XRP, LTC, BCH directly via Schwab platforms. No external wallets required.
Schwab manages $8.5 trillion in assets across those accounts, per Investor Relations filings from March 2026.
Crypto Market Snapshot
Bitcoin trades at $74,110 USD, up 0.1%, CoinGecko data shows. Ethereum dips 0.8% to $2,316.55. XRP rises 2.7% to $1.42.
USDT holds $1.00 peg. BNB gains 0.3% to $620.14. Total market cap exceeds $2.6 trillion, CoinMarketCap reports.
Crypto Fear & Greed Index reads 23, signaling extreme fear, Alternative.me indicates. Readings below 25 historically preceded 30% BTC rallies within months.
Schwab Crypto Client Reach
Schwab's 35 million accounts average $250,000 portfolios. Platform offers spot trading with 0.25% fees, matching Robinhood rates.
Schwab uses institutional custodians for storage. This setup eases entry for traditional investors.
Secure Tech Powers Schwab Crypto
Fireblocks handles custody. Real-time pricing comes from Coinbase and Gemini APIs, Bloomberg reports citing internal memos.
Blockchain settlements finish in minutes. Mobile app supports one-tap trades with two-factor authentication.
Insurance covers hacks up to $150 million per client. Chainalysis partnerships ensure KYC/AML compliance.
JPMorgan analysts project $10-20 billion monthly retail inflows.
Fear & Greed at 23: Buy Signal?
Index at 23 contrasts Schwab's rollout. Year-to-date average hit 45, Alternative.me archives show.
Volatility index reaches 65%. Brokerage spot demand counters options put buying.
Competitors Ramp Up Crypto
Fidelity serves 12 million clients with crypto since 2022. Robinhood offers 15 coins to 24 million users.
CoinDesk tracks brokerage expansions. Schwab adds zero-commission ETFs to spot trades.
BlackRock's IBIT ETF amassed $40 billion AUM, ETF.com states. Brokerages claim 20% of U.S. crypto volume, up from 5% in 2024, Chainalysis reports.
Regulations Boost Schwab Crypto
SEC approved Schwab's crypto broker-dealer status in Q4 2025. CFTC regulates derivatives.
Persona handles instant KYC/AML. Platform meets MiCA standards for Europe.
Bitwise tracks $15 billion BTC ETF inflows. Expansions add altcoins soon.
Price Outlook
BTC tests $74,110 resistance. Standard Chartered forecasts $80,000 breakout on retail demand.
ETH benefits from staking. XRP volumes jump 15% daily, Kaiko data shows.
Beta starts next week, full Schwab Crypto launch by May 2026. Inflows could lift market 5-10%. Volumes above $74K set direction. Regulatory easing accelerates adoption.
