<p>Charles Schwab, the biggest investment brokerage firm in the U.S. with over $3 trillion in assets under management, is reportedly in discussions to buy rival TD Ameritrade.</p> <p>The deal could be announced as early as today, CNBC <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/21/charles-schwab-in-talks-to-buy-td-ameritrade-a-deal-could-be-announced-as-early-as-today-source-says.html">reported</a> Thursday, adding that it would create a conglomerate with $5 trillion in combined assets.</p> <p>If successful, the acquisition would consolidate the disruptive discount brokerage industry. In recent months, all of the major brokerages, including the two publicly-listed giants, have moved to or announced plans to offer commission-free trading.</p> <p>It will be interesting to see if Charles Schwab alters its view on cryptocurrencies if the deal with crypto-friendly TD Ameritrade goes through. Charles Schwab recently <a href="https://www.theblockcrypto.com/linked/38865/brokerage-giant-charles-schwab-dismisses-crypto-saying-it-is-purely-speculative">said</a> that it is not looking to offer direct trading services of cryptocurrencies any time soon.</p> <p>TD Ameritrade, on the other hand, <a href="https://www.tdameritrade.com/investment-products/futures-trading/bitcoin-futures.page">offers trading</a> in bitcoin futures via derivatives exchange giant CME Group. The firm is also an <a href="https://www.tdameritrade.com/investment-products/cryptocurrency-trading.page">investor in</a> cryptocurrency exchange <a href="https://www.theblockcrypto.com/daily/20777/erisx-is-testing-its-new-crypto-exchange-and-tdameritrade-is-one-firm-looking-to-link-up-with-the-market">ErisX</a>.</p>