Morgan Stanley Moves Deeper into Crypto, Proposes BTC and SOL ETFs

BTC-1,53%
SOL-1,58%
PEPE-0,47%

US investment bank Morgan Stanley has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch two exchange-traded funds (ETFs) linked to Bitcoin (BTC) and Solana (SOL)

Submitted on 6 January 2026, the filings mark a significant step for one of the largest U.S. banks, moving from offering client access to crypto to proposing regulated investment products directly backed by digital assets.

The proposed Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust and Morgan Stanley Solana Trust would operate as spot ETFs, directly holding the cryptocurrencies instead of derivatives

If approved, the funds could channel new investment into BTC and SOL from Morgan Stanley’s over 19 million wealth management clients, as reported in the company’s April 2025 shareholder letter.

Growing Institutional Adoption of Crypto

The filings come amid a broader trend of traditional financial institutions embracing digital assets

The day before Morgan Stanley’s filing, Bank of America allowed its wealth management advisers to recommend exposure to four Bitcoin ETFs. Similarly, in December 2025, the asset manager Vanguard enabled crypto ETF trading for its clients.

Why This Matters

Morgan Stanley’s move reflects the growing institutional demand for regulated cryptocurrency investment vehicles. If approved, the ETFs could broaden access to Bitcoin and Solana for both institutional and retail investors, further integrating crypto into mainstream finance.

Check out DailyCoin’s hottest crypto news today:
MSCI Pauses Crypto Exclusions, Shielding $113 Billion in DAT Firms
PEPE Price Explodes 69% In Wild Week With Leverage Overload

People Also Ask:

What does “spot ETF” mean? A spot ETF directly holds the underlying asset—in this case, Bitcoin or Solana—rather than using derivatives or futures contracts. This means the ETF’s value moves closely with the actual cryptocurrency price.

Why is Morgan Stanley launching Bitcoin and Solana ETFs? Morgan Stanley aims to provide regulated, accessible ways for its wealth management clients to invest in crypto. It reflects growing institutional interest and the mainstreaming of digital assets.

Are Morgan Stanley Bitcoin and Solana ETFs approved yet? Not yet. Morgan Stanley has filed the ETFs with the SEC on 6 January 2026, but regulatory approval is required before they can launch.

How can these ETFs impact cryptocurrency markets? If approved, these ETFs could increase institutional and retail inflows into Bitcoin and Solana, supporting broader adoption and integration of digital assets into traditional investment portfolios.

.social-share-icons { display: inline-flex; flex-direction: row; gap: 8px; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid #dedede; padding: 8px 16px; margin-bottom: 8px; }

.social-share-icons a { display: flex; color: #555; text-decoration: none; justify-content: center; align-items: center; background-color: #dedede; border-radius: 100%; padding: 10px; }

.social-share-icons a:hover { background-color: #F7BE23; fill: white; }

.social-share-icons svg { width: 24px; height: 24px; }

DailyCoin’s Vibe Check: Which way are you leaning towards after reading this article?

Bullish Bearish Neutral

Market Sentiment

0% Neutral

Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to Disclaimer.

Related Articles

Polymarket: Bitcoin has 61% chance of reaching $60K before $80K

Polymarket data indicates traders anticipate Bitcoin will decline before a significant rise. The probability of BTC reaching $60,000 before $80,000 is now at 61%, reflecting cautious market sentiment amid macro volatility and selling pressure. The possibility of Bitcoin breaking past $80,000 remains, depending on stronger supportive factors.

TapChiBitcoin7m ago

Last week, Bitcoin spot ETF experienced a net inflow of $95.18 million, marking four consecutive weeks of net inflows.

Last week, Bitcoin spot ETF net inflows reached $95.18 million, marking four consecutive weeks of growth. Among them, BlackRock's IBIT had the largest inflows at $191 million, with a total net inflow of $63.26 billion. Fidelity's FBTC experienced net outflows of $50.07 million. In terms of total assets, the current net asset value of Bitcoin spot ETFs is $90.3 billion.

GateNews13m ago

The crypto market is widely declining, with BTC breaking below $68,000, while AI and Meme sectors rally against the trend with gains exceeding 3%

On March 23, the crypto market experienced widespread declines, with Bitcoin and Ethereum falling 1.42% and 1.78% respectively. The RWA sector suffered a significant drop of 4.85%, while AI and Meme sectors bucked the trend with gains of 10.36% and 3.66% respectively. Other sectors showed mixed performance, with overall market sentiment remaining weak.

GateNews57m ago

Michael Saylor Signals Continued Bitcoin Accumulation as Funding Strategy Shifts Toward STRC Preferred Stock

Strategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor posted on March 22, 2026, that "The Orange March Continues," signaling the company's ongoing Bitcoin accumulation as total holdings reached 761,068 BTC valued at approximately $52.36 billion with an average acquisition cost of $75,696 per coin.

CryptopulseElite1h ago

BTC rises 0.61% in 15 minutes: Whale fund inflows superimposed with futures premium resonance driving

Between 2026-03-23 02:15 and 2026-03-23 02:30 (UTC), BTC yield recorded +0.61%, with prices fluctuating between 67807.1 and 68304.9 USDT, representing a volatility of 0.73%. During this short-term volatility period, market trading activity was robust, with enhanced linkage between spot and futures markets, and sustained volume increase in core trading zones, attracting market attention. The primary driver of this volatility was significant capital inflow from on-chain whale wallets to exchanges during the window period, with approximately 17,184 BTC flowing in within a short timeframe, marking a new monthly high. M

GateNews1h ago

Bitcoin Falls Below $69,000, Derivatives Market Shifts to Defense, Downside Risks Intensify

10x Research analysis points out that Bitcoin has broken below $69,000, marking a shift in market structure. Traders have significantly adjusted positions, with increased futures liquidations and negative funding rates. Options capital flows are moving toward downside protection, signaling hedging demand against downside risks. Meanwhile, market expectations regarding rate increases are diverging from the Federal Reserve's rate-cutting guidance, which could impact risk asset performance.

GateNews1h ago
Comment
0/400
No comments