Morgan Stanley looks to join crypto ETF race with Bitcoin and Solana products

Morgan Stanley has taken another step into the fast-moving crypto investment market by filing paperwork to launch two spot exchange-traded funds tied to digital assets.

Today, on January 6, the Wall Street bank submitted an S-1 registration to the US Securities and Exchange Commission for a Bitcoin ETF and, separately, for a Solana ETF.

The move places the wealth management giant alongside established players such as BlackRock and Fidelity, which already operate similar products in the US market.

The filing highlights how traditional financial institutions are expanding their presence in crypto as client demand broadens beyond early adopters and specialist investors.

A new ETF entrant

The proposed product is called the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust.

According to the filing, the trust is designed to track the price of Bitcoin through direct holdings rather than derivatives or leveraged strategies.

This structure aligns it with other spot Bitcoin ETFs approved in recent years.

Morgan Stanley also filed for a Solana ETF on the same day, signalling interest in offering exposure to more than one major digital asset.

The filings underscore a broader effort by large banks to keep pace with investor appetite for regulated crypto products.

How the trust operates

The Bitcoin trust will calculate its net asset value on a daily basis using a pricing benchmark derived from major spot exchanges.

The fund is passive and will not adjust holdings in response to market movements or trading signals.

Shares will be created and redeemed in large blocks by authorised participants. These transactions can take place either in cash or in kind.

Once issued, shares can be traded by retail investors on secondary markets through standard brokerage accounts. The ticker symbol for the product has not yet been disclosed.

This structure mirrors the mechanics of existing spot Bitcoin ETFs, offering familiar access points for investors who prefer listed securities over direct crypto ownership.

Broader crypto access

The ETF filings come as Morgan Stanley continues to widen the range of crypto-linked investment options available through its wealth management business.

The bank has increasingly positioned digital assets within its broader product lineup, allowing advisers to discuss regulated crypto exposure alongside traditional asset classes.

This approach reflects an effort to integrate crypto products into portfolio construction in a more structured and compliant manner, rather than treating them as niche or standalone investments.

Institutional momentum

Morgan Stanley’s move comes amid growing institutional participation in crypto markets.

The spot Bitcoin ETF segment has expanded rapidly since the SEC approved these funds two years ago.

Morgan Stanley’s entry adds another major name to an increasingly competitive field, reinforcing the role of large financial institutions in shaping how crypto is accessed through mainstream investment channels.

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