Traditional finance giant expands into digital assets as U.S. spot crypto ETF trading surpasses $2 trillion
Morgan Stanley has filed S-1 registration statements with the SEC to launch spot Bitcoin and Solana ETFs, signaling a major move by a legacy financial institution into the mainstream crypto investment space. The filings include a Bitcoin Trust and a Solana Trust with staking features, reflecting the firm’s commitment to offering regulated, exchange-traded exposure to digital assets.
The filings arrive as cumulative U.S. spot crypto ETF trading volume exceeds $2 trillion, with the market accelerating rapidly over recent months. Spot Bitcoin ETFs alone hold over $123.5 billion, representing approximately 6.6% of Bitcoin’s total market capitalization, even as prices remain below $100,000. Regulatory updates, including accelerated SEC approval processes, have facilitated this growth by reducing the lengthy filing timelines previously required.
The ETFs complement Morgan Stanley’s broader crypto strategy, including a 4% allocation cap in opportunistic portfolios and expanded access for clients, including retirement accounts. This positions the firm alongside major issuers like BlackRock and Fidelity, meeting rising institutional and retail demand for regulated crypto investment products.
Morgan Stanley’s Bitcoin and Solana ETF filings underscore a broader trend of mainstream financial institutions embracing digital assets, reflecting growing liquidity, investor interest, and regulatory clarity in the U.S. crypto ETF market. The move highlights the maturation of crypto as an asset class within traditional finance frameworks.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.