[DigitalToday reporter Yoonseo Lee (이윤서)] U.S. brokerage Charles Schwab has added Solana (SOL), Avalanche (AVAX) and Chainlink (LINK) to its cryptocurrency trading platform. XRP was again not included for spot trading support.

On Nov. 9 (local time), blockchain media outlet U.Today reported that Schwab said Schwab Crypto supports trading in the three tokens. That brings the number of cryptocurrencies that can be traded directly on the platform to five, including bitcoin and ether.

The additions are part of a step-by-step expansion of its direct crypto trading service. Schwab Crypto began service for some customers in May, and in October expanded access to all eligible individual customers. It initially offered only bitcoin and ether trading, then broadened support to altcoins.

The service is provided in connection with its existing investment platforms. Customers can view and trade cryptocurrencies alongside traditional investment assets on the Charles Schwab website and mobile app, and on its trading platform thinkorswim. The trading fee is 0.75 percent of the transaction amount, and it also provides educational materials on digital assets, market analysis, and phone and chat consultations.

XRP, however, did not make the Schwab Crypto trading list. Schwab said it plans to add cryptocurrencies and digital assets in the future, but did not present whether it would support XRP or a timeline for its introduction.

XRP-related trading is not fully restricted for Charles Schwab customers. The company offers standard XRP futures and smaller-contract micro futures through thinkorswim. In July last year it notified customers that XRP futures and micro futures were available for trading, and in June this year it expanded trading hours for some crypto futures, including XRP, to seven days a week.

The lack of XRP support this time should be seen as limited to the spot trading service. Futures are derivatives that trade price movements of an underlying asset, and are distinct from spot trading that directly buys cryptocurrencies. Schwab provides access to XRP futures but still does not include XRP among assets that can be bought and sold directly on Schwab Crypto.

What to watch is how far Schwab will expand its spot trading lineup. The company has stated a policy of adding more tokens but has not disclosed what will come next. Whether XRP will be supported for spot trading also remains to be confirmed through future announcements.