The Economic Times·2026-01-07 00:42Core Insights - 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 [6] - The filing indicates a growing interest among traditional financial institutions in digital assets, with firms like Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Citigroup enhancing their crypto operations [6] - Over $150 billion is currently invested across approximately 130 US funds, primarily in Bitcoin-specific products, highlighting the increasing institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies [6] Company Developments - The proposed Bitcoin Trust and Solana Trust will hold the respective cryptocurrencies, with the Solana product including a staking component to earn rewards [6] - Morgan Stanley is not currently among the top-10 ETF issuers and has fewer assets in this space compared to newer entrants like Neos Investments [4][6] - The bank has shown increased interest in the crypto sector, including plans to allow E*Trade clients to trade popular tokens starting in 2026 and exploring broader applications for tokenization [5][6] Industry Trends - More than 10 Bitcoin-focused funds are already trading in the US, alongside various funds based on Solana, the sixth-largest digital currency by market value [3][6] - While Bitcoin funds like BlackRock's IBIT have attracted billions, niche products based on lesser-known tokens have struggled to gain significant investment [3][6] - The growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies by major institutions is seen as a significant milestone, with comparisons made to Vanguard and Bank of America's recent moves to allow crypto ETF trading [6]