Morgan Stanley(US:MS) Wealth Management·2026-01-06 14:53Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley has filed for Bitcoin and Solana exchange-traded funds (ETFs), marking its entry into the cryptocurrency fund market two years after the rise of crypto-focused ETFs in the US [1][2]. Group 1: Company Actions - The firm submitted paperwork for a Bitcoin Trust and a Solana Trust, with the Solana product including a portion allocated for staking to earn rewards [2]. - Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. will sponsor the trusts as indicated in the filings [2]. - The bank has shown increased interest in the crypto sector, partnering with a cryptocurrency infrastructure provider to enable E*Trade clients to trade popular tokens starting in 2026 [6]. Group 2: Industry Context - Traditional financial institutions like Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Citigroup are expanding their digital asset operations, with over $150 billion currently invested in approximately 130 US funds, primarily in Bitcoin products [3]. - The emergence of new asset classes in the ETF space is significant, as noted by industry experts, highlighting the growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies by large institutions [4]. - Currently, there are more than 10 Bitcoin-focused funds trading in the US, with various funds based on Solana, the sixth-largest digital currency by market value [4]. Group 3: Market Position - Morgan Stanley does not rank among the top 10 ETF issuers and has fewer assets in the ETF space compared to newer entrants like Neos Investments [5]. - The bank's existing funds primarily focus on fixed income and equities, indicating a shift in strategy towards digital assets [5].