- Charles Schwab confirms plans to launch a spot Bitcoin ETF and enable direct crypto trading by mid-2026.
- The move follows a shift in regulatory sentiment after the launch of Litecoin and Solana ETFs.
- Bitcoin ETFs continue to face heavy outflows, with $558.44M outflows on Friday, as market uncertainty deepens.
Charles Schwab will officially enter the spot Bitcoin ETF market, with CEO Rick Wurster confirming the launch during an investor call. The $13 trillion asset manager aims to rival BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) by integrating spot cryptocurrency trading directly into its brokerage platform by the first half of 2026.
The rollout will offer Schwab clients in-platform access to Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), eliminating the need for cryptocurrency exchanges and the complexities of managing assets across crypto wallets.
Schwab’s decision follows a positive shift in the US regulatory stance. On October 28, the SEC approved altcoin ETFs for Litecoin and Solana, nearly two years after Bitcoin and Ethereum Approvals in January 2024.
Despite the positive news, Bitcoin’s market response remained muted. BTC slipped to $101,000 following the announcement, pinned down by broader macroeconomic headwinds and ETF-driven selling pressure.
Bitcoin ETFs Accelerate Sell-Offs as Market Uncertainty Deepens
While Charles Schwab prepares to enter the ETF market, existing Bitcoin exchange-traded products faced heavy outflows in the past week. Data from SoSoValue shows that Bitcoin ETFs recorded another $558.44 million in withdrawals.
The selling spree reflects growing investor caution amid the U.S. government shutdown and rising geopolitical tensions, which have spurred a rotation out of both Bitcoin and equities. As capital shifts toward short-term bonds and money markets, Treasury yields have climbed, reflecting investor preference for liquidity and safety over speculative assets.
Even with Schwab’s entry, sentiment remains risk-off. Bitcoin remains under pressure, consolidating near the $101,000 level as spot ETF demand falters. Market participants now await whether Schwab’s announcement of the ETF could reignite inflows in the coming sessions.
Related: https://coinedition.com/fed-ends-qt-injects-liquidity-why-is-bitcoin-falling/
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Source: https://coinedition.com/charles-schwab-set-to-launch-spot-bitcoin-etf-and-crypto-trading-by-2026/
