Morgan Stanley's E-Trade to Add Crypto Trading in Early 2026

Core Insights - E-Trade, the online trading platform of Morgan Stanley, plans to introduce cryptocurrency trading by the first half of 2026 [1][2] - The initial offerings will include Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana, facilitated through a partnership with digital asset infrastructure provider zerohash [2][3] - This move aims to eliminate third-party management fees and provide clients with direct ownership of cryptocurrencies [3] Company Developments - Morgan Stanley has been involved in cryptocurrency since offering bitcoin funds to wealth management clients approximately four years ago [3] - Zerohash recently raised $104 million in a Series D-2 funding round, with participation from Morgan Stanley, to enhance its regulatory-compliant infrastructure for crypto and tokenized assets [4][5] - The partnership between Morgan Stanley and zerohash is part of a broader trend where financial institutions are seeking to provide access to the crypto asset class [5] Market Context - E-Trade's decision to add cryptocurrency trading is influenced by expectations of a more favorable regulatory environment, particularly with the potential return of Donald Trump to office [6] - Other financial institutions, such as PNC Bank, are also exploring partnerships to offer cryptocurrency solutions to their clients, indicating a growing trend in the industry [6]