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

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.

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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.

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