Morgan Stanley Expands Digital Asset Offerings with Spot Crypto Trading Service

Morgan Stanley, one of the largest financial institutions in the United States, is preparing to launch spot cryptocurrency trading services for its wealth management clients in 2026. The service will allow clients to directly purchase and hold cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana through E*Trade, a self-directed brokerage platform owned by Morgan Stanley.

The move follows a series of digital asset initiatives by the bank, including the launch of a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) in April 2026. The ETF was met with significant demand, attracting over $200 million in assets within weeks of its launch.

Morgan Stanley's Global Investment Committee has adjusted its guidance for certain investors, recommending a 2% to 4% allocation to Bitcoin for risk-tolerant, growth-focused portfolios. This is a notable shift from the bank's previous approach to digital assets, which had been more limited in scope.

The bank's proprietary digital wallet, expected to launch later in 2026, will support cryptocurrencies and tokenized real-world assets such as private equity, real estate, and bonds. Morgan Stanley has also filed for a digital trust charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which would enable the bank to directly custody digital assets within its own regulated structure.