Morgan Stanley Goes From Crypto Curious to Crypto Committed as Wall Street ‘Opens the Pipes’
Morgan Stanley is accelerating its push into crypto, signaling a serious shift in TradFi as digital belongings transfer from speculative fringe to mainstream institutional play.
The Wall Street big, managing $9.3 trillion in belongings, just lately appointed Amy Oldenburg as Head of Digital Asset Strategy, a transfer that formalizes crypto as a core execution precedence somewhat than a analysis train.
Morgan Stanley Moves From Crypto Research to Full-Scale Execution
The timing is notable. The Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF (BTC) is now available on Morgan Stanley’s platform. This unlocks regulated Bitcoin exposure to greater than $7.4 trillion in advisor-managed belongings.
“2026 goes to be explosive for crypto,” commented fintech journalist Frank Chaparo, as Morgan Stanley concurrently hires dozens of crypto roles whereas opening these funding “pipes” to its consumer base.
Oldenburg, who beforehand labored for Morgan Stanley in emerging markets, is tasked with coordinating product improvement, partnerships, and buying and selling throughout the agency’s items.
“When establishments flip in opposition to you, you need to maintain your keys, you need to maintain your cash,” she mentioned.
Her appointment indicators measured but decisive institutional steps into digital belongings amid altering regulatory frameworks. This contains clearer stablecoin rules and guidance, permitting banks to act as crypto intermediaries.
Morgan Stanley’s crypto journey over the previous two years has been marked by fast evolution.
- In 2024, advisors may suggest spot Bitcoin ETFs from companies like BlackRock and Fidelity to eligible high-net-worth purchasers—a cautious first step.
- By 2025, entry expanded dramatically: restrictions have been lifted, permitting all wealth administration purchasers, together with these with retirement accounts, to put money into crypto funds.
Advisors have been inspired to deal with Bitcoin as “digital gold,” allocating 2–4% in risk-tolerant portfolios whereas managing volatility by means of monitoring instruments and structured merchandise.
- September 2025 marked one other milestone with plans to launch direct crypto buying and selling through E*TRADE, initially supporting Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana.
- Early 2026 noticed Morgan Stanley file with the SEC for its personal spot Bitcoin and Solana ETFs, then an Ethereum ETF.
With this, Morgan Stanley positions itself to compete with main issuers like BlackRock and Fidelity in a market that grew to over $114 billion in belongings for Bitcoin ETFs alone.
Wall Street Momentum and Morgan Stanley’s Crypto Commitment
The push displays broader Wall Street momentum. CoinMarketCap reviews that 60% of the high 25 US banks have launched or introduced Bitcoin providers, together with buying and selling and custody. JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, and Citi are amongst the leaders.
For Morgan Stanley, transferring past distribution to issuance and direct buying and selling demonstrates a dedication to making digital belongings a everlasting fixture of institutional portfolios.
The hiring spree additionally suggests intent however raises questions on execution. Some trade observers, like Felix Hartmann, have pointed to entry-level salaries for senior crypto roles.
This means that compensation buildings may have to be adjusted to entice crypto-native expertise. Still, the agency’s technique seems to steadiness pace and compliance, making certain progress whereas maneuvering regulatory uncertainty.
In quick, Morgan Stanley has gone from cautious observer to energetic participant in crypto markets. By providing ETF publicity, planning direct buying and selling, submitting proprietary funds, and constructing inside capability, the financial institution is cementing digital belongings as a core element of wealth administration and institutional technique.
As Wall Street more and more opens its crypto “pipes,” 2026 could be remembered as the yr TradFi totally embraced the digital asset market.
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