- Morgan Stanley files for Bitcoin and Solana ETFs to offer crypto access to 19 million wealth clients.
- Early 2026 inflows show strong demand for regulated crypto funds at the start of the year.
- Major banks expand crypto offerings as advisors can now recommend ETFs to broader clients.
US investment bank Morgan Stanley has filed with the SEC to launch two cryptocurrency ETFs. One fund will track Bitcoin, and the other will track Solana. The filings were submitted on Tuesday and mark a continued move by major banks into regulated crypto products. Both funds are structured as passive investment vehicles. They will hold tokens directly and only follow market prices, without active trading or profit-seeking strategies.
The proposed Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust and Morgan Stanley Solana Trust plan to list their shares on public exchanges. Exchange details will appear in later 19b-4 filings, not the initial S-1 documents. Approval could allow Morgan Stanley’s 19 million wealth management clients access to these digital assets. Analysts note that demand for regulated crypto funds is rising, particularly at the start of the new year.
Early 2026 Crypto Fund Trends
Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $1.1 billion in inflows during the first two trading days of 2026. Solana-based ETFs now hold over $1 billion, with Bitwise’s BSOL fund leading at $732 million. These figures indicate renewed investor interest driven by the “clean-slate” effect at the start of the year. Morgan Stanley Investment Management is listed as the sponsor for both trusts, while CSC Delaware Trust Company serves as trustee.
The filings also clarify custody arrangements. Most private keys will be stored offline in cold wallets, while the remaining keys will remain in hot wallets. The funds will not attempt speculative trading, and their sole goal is to track underlying asset prices.
Expansion of Institutional Crypto Access
Morgan Stanley has gradually expanded crypto offerings to a broader client base. Previously, only high-net-worth individuals with over $1.5 million in assets could invest. Since October, all wealth management clients can access crypto funds, including through IRAs and 401(k)s. This policy change aligns with growing institutional interest in regulated cryptocurrency products.
The bank has also enabled retail trading of cryptocurrencies through its E-Trade platform. Earlier in May, Morgan Stanley announced plans to offer spot crypto trading on E*Trade by 2026. Initial offerings will focus on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. The ETF filings signal that Morgan Stanley continues integrating digital assets into traditional investment channels.
Broader Industry Movement
Other major banks are also increasing regulated crypto access. Bank of America recently allowed advisors to recommend exposure to four Bitcoin ETFs across its wealth management platforms. The bank’s 15,000 advisors operate through Merrill, Bank of America Private Bank, and Merrill Edge.
Vanguard enabled crypto ETF trading for clients in December 2025. BlackRock previously allowed clients an up to 2% allocation to Bitcoin, signaling a broader acceptance of digital assets by traditional institutions.
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