Charles Schwab flipped the switch on 24/7 Bitcoin futures trading this week, marking the first time the firm has offered any product that trades around the clock. The new service runs on Schwab's thinkorswim platforms, giving retail clients continuous access to Bitcoin futures and CME Micro Bitcoin futures. It's a big step for a brokerage that built its reputation on standard market hours and $12.61 trillion in client assets.
First 24/7 product in Schwab's history
Schwab has never offered a 24/7 product before. That changes with Bitcoin futures. The contracts carry a $5 multiplier for standard Bitcoin futures and a $0.10 multiplier for the micro version. That lets traders scale in smaller than a full Bitcoin contract. James Kostulias, the firm's Managing Director and Head of Trading Services, pointed to the expansion as a sign of how Schwab is adapting to demand for crypto exposure beyond ETFs and futures during regular hours.
What else came with the update
The platform update isn't just about 24/7 trading. Schwab also expanded fractional and notional trading down to a $1 minimum, added expected price range data for marginable securities, and rolled out dividend reinvestment through Schwab Mobile. Those features aren't crypto-specific, but they round out a broader push to make the platform more flexible for retail traders.
Bitcoin's price context
Bitcoin was trading around $66,000 as of June 1, down about 45% from its all-time high of $126,198.07 in October 2025. That slump hasn't stopped Schwab from doubling down on digital assets. The firm launched a direct spot trading service called Schwab Crypto in April 2026 for retail clients — its first offering where users actually own Bitcoin and other coins, not just futures or ETFs.
Schwab has already signaled the next step. It's targeting mid-2027 to launch spot crypto trading, custody, and transfers for registered investment advisors. That would open the door for RIA clients to hold crypto directly through Schwab's infrastructure. The firm processed 10.3 million daily average trades in April 2026, so the distribution network is there. The question is whether regulators and the market will cooperate by the time the target date arrives.
