Charles Schwab has significantly expanded its presence in digital asset derivatives, now offering almost round-the-clock trading of select cryptocurrency futures contracts through its thinkorswim platform. The new system makes Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, and XRP futures available to clients seven days a week, for most hours of the day.
New access through thinkorswim
According to company statements, this development brings the structure of major digital asset futures trading closer to continuous operation. It gives investors who use traditional financial infrastructure a more institutional framework for engaging with the crypto ecosystem. As one of the largest brokerage firms in the United States, Charles Schwab serves a vast base of individual investors and also offers a broad range of professional investment services.
Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, and XRP futures can now be traded nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on the thinkorswim platform, Schwab revealed in their announcement.
Schwab’s move toward crypto products is not new. The company has been incrementally entering the digital asset space in recent years and has steadily broadened its offering at each stage. This latest step is notable for moving beyond spot transactions, giving clients extended access to derivative products in the market.
Gradual expansion stands out
In 2022, Schwab made one of its first major forays into crypto by becoming a founding investor in the institutional crypto exchange EDX Markets. The platform was established with backing from other major Wall Street players such as Citadel Securities and Fidelity Digital Assets.
EDX Markets launched trading in June 2023, initially listing a limited number of assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash. This selective approach indicated a controlled and targeted entry into the world of institutional crypto trading.
Glossary: A futures contract is a type of derivative agreement to buy or sell an asset at a specific future date at a predetermined price. In spot trading, the investor directly purchases the asset itself, while futures traders use contracts based on price movements.
From spot trading to custody services
Earlier this year, Schwab launched its Schwab Crypto service, granting eligible US retail clients spot trading access for direct ownership of Bitcoin and Ethereum. The latest move toward nearly continuous crypto futures trading marks another significant step forward for the company.
Information in the report indicates Schwab is targeting the middle of 2027 to roll out spot crypto trading, transfer, and custody services for registered investment advisors. The plan reportedly involves offering these services through the company’s existing custody platform.
This positions Schwab’s crypto strategy as a multi-phase roadmap: starting with investment in institutional exchanges, expanding to retail spot trading, and now broadening into near-24/7 access to crypto futures.
