Three in Four Crypto Owners Want to Hold It at Their Own Bank. Which Banks Already Let You?

A recent 2026 survey by Sentora of 10,000 U.S. crypto holders found that 75% want their banks to manage their Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) and other digital currencies. The survey suggests that the large volume of crypto still stored on exchanges highlights a gap in banks’ custody options.

For many owners, managing Bitcoin has usually meant using a separate application, necessitating a different login and tax form than those used for retirement and brokerage accounts. In October, two major U.S. brokerages, Charles Schwab and Interactive Brokers, began to address this issue.

Schwab and Interactive Brokers Offer Crypto Custody, Besides Stocks

Rick Wurster, CEO of Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW | SCHW Price Prediction), told analysts on October 15, “All clients can now access Schwab crypto. We are rolling out the ability for clients to transfer their crypto holdings to Schwab, and we are launching access to three new coins by the end of the year.”

These new digital currencies—Solana (CRYPTO:SOL), Avalanche (CRYPTO:AVAX) and Chainlink (CRYPTO:LINK)—will join Bitcoin and Ethereum (CRYPTO:ETH) on Schwab’s platform. This integration lets Schwab’s 48.6 million client accounts keep their crypto investments alongside their stock holdings.

Interactive Brokers (NASDAQ:IBKR) started allowing eligible clients to stake their Ether through Zerohash on October 13. Staking involves locking up coins to help secure the Ethereum network, earning rewards similar to interest on a bank deposit.

In contrast, Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) is launching crypto custody in Germany and currently offers no products to U.S. customers. As a result, U.S. investors primarily use brokerage accounts for crypto management rather than traditional banks.

Schwab Charges 0.75% a Trade and Caps Each Withdrawal at $5,000

Schwab charges a 0.75% fee for each crypto trade. So, for a $10,000 Bitcoin purchase, you’d pay $75 initially and about $150 total when you sell. For an investor who buys and holds for a long time, this fee might seem minimal compared to Bitcoin’s usual price fluctuations. However, for frequent traders, these fees can add up quickly.

Another consideration is the withdrawal limit: Schwab caps each crypto withdrawal at $5,000. This means that transferring $50,000 to a personal wallet would require ten separate transactions.

FDIC Insurance Doesn’t Cover Crypto, and SIPC Has Gaps

One critical concern for crypto holders is insurance. While FDIC insurance protects bank deposits, it doesn’t apply to cryptocurrencies. The SIPC provides some protection for missing assets if a brokerage firm fails, but it only covers securities and cash. Investors should carefully review their account agreements to understand how their crypto is stored. Staked assets at Interactive Brokers also fall outside SIPC protection.

In addition, staking offers potential rewards, but it also incurs costs. Interactive Brokers and Zerohash take up to 30% of the rewards earned. For example, if a client’s staked Ether yields $300 in a year, they would keep at least $210 after fees. Note that unstaking is subject to Ethereum’s waiting periods.

Near-Retirees Have Three Ways to Hold Crypto

For investors nearing retirement, there are a few ways to manage crypto:

1. Through Traditional Brokers: This option simplifies things, providing one login, one statement, and one tax form for year-end reporting and estate planning. However, investors may have limited coin choices and face per-trade fees and withdrawal limits, making it best for those looking to buy and hold.
2. Staking Ether: This can generate extra income, but it means losing SIPC protection and waiting periods if you need to access funds quickly. Staking is likely best suited for long-term Ether holders who can afford to put their investment away for a while.
3. Using a Crypto Exchange or Personal Wallet: This method allows for a broader selection of coins and full control. However, it puts the entire responsibility on the holder. Losing a recovery phrase might result in losing access to the coins. For many people approaching retirement, the risks of this option may outweigh the benefits of greater control.

Which U.S. Firms Already Offer Crypto Custody Beside Stocks?

Currently, Schwab and Interactive Brokers lead the way in offering crypto custody alongside traditional investments, while American investors still wait for banks to catch up.

For those near retirement who hold Bitcoin or Ethereum as a small portion of their portfolio, a brokerage they already know may offer the simplest solution—assuming they are comfortable with trading fees and understand the gaps in insurance coverage. Don’t assume familiar brands offer the same level of protection for crypto as they do for traditional assets.

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