Yeliz Akmaca 
Morgan Stanley filed with the SEC to launch Bitcoin and Solana exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This move marks the bank’s first major entry into the fund space after two years, following the rapid growth of crypto ETFs in the US market.
The company submitted documents for two separate funds: the Bitcoin Trust and the Solana Trust. The Solana fund allows token staking to support the blockchain network while earning rewards. Morgan Stanley Investment Management will manage both funds, giving investors secure direct access to crypto.
Institutional Interest in Crypto Deepens
Morgan Stanley’s action highlights the growing interest in digital assets across Wall Street. For example, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Citigroup are rolling out innovations in trading, custody, and tokenization. Additionally, around 130 US funds manage over $150 billion in crypto assets.
The Bitcoin Trust fund holds bitcoin directly. It does not use derivatives or leverage. Fund managers calculate net asset value daily. Investors can buy or sell shares through authorized participants, using cash or bitcoin. Spot bitcoin ETFs grew rapidly over the past two years, reaching $123 billion in total net assets. Since the beginning of the year, investors added over $1.1 billion in net inflows.
The Solana Trust also joined the SEC filing. This fund offers staking rewards and has total net assets exceeding $1 billion. Recent inflows reached $800 million.
Traditional Finance Focuses on Digital Assets
Morgan Stanley is moving from distributing third-party crypto products to creating its own ETFs and trusts. This shows strong commitment to digital assets. Moreover, firms like BlackRock generated high revenue from spot bitcoin ETFs, demonstrating the economic potential.
The bank’s large client base and advisory network enable easy integration of these products into portfolios while keeping management fees in-house. Regulatory clarity in the US and the OCC allowing banks to act as intermediaries on crypto transactions also make these investments safer and more accessible.
Morningstar analyst Bryan Armour said, “Morgan Stanley’s entry into the ETF market could attract bitcoin investors to its own funds, providing a fast start despite entering later than some competitors.”
Morgan Stanley’s move signals the maturing of the US crypto ETF market and shows traditional finance is taking digital assets seriously. Other banks may follow this trend.
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