Morgan Stanley Files for Spot Bitcoin ETF

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. has filed for the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust and Morgan Stanley Solana Trust. The SEC Form S-1 filings aim to track respective asset prices net of fees. This marks a significant step in institutional cryptocurrency involvement.

Both trusts aim to hold their respective cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin and Solana. They reflect Morgan Stanley’s strategy to expand crypto services from their initial high-net-worth offering to all client accounts, demonstrated through prior expansion in October 2025.

The filing could spur interest in cryptocurrencies, affecting market dynamics and encouraging more institutional investments. Many funds totaling over $150 billion are involved in cryptocurrency, with Bitcoin leading the portfolio offerings.

Expected financial impacts include an increase in Bitcoin ETF inflows, which peaked at $695 million recently. Political conditions favor cryptocurrency, with eased regulations and acts like the GENIUS Act promoting stablecoins and cryptocurrency adoption.

Morgan Stanley joins firms like BlackRock and Goldman Sachs in intensifying their crypto focus. This aligns with historical trends where Wall Street firms deepened crypto involvement through trading, custody, and tokenization initiatives.

Potential outcomes include increased liquidity and elevated mainstream adoption. If approved, the allocations could broaden access and catalyze wider acceptance in investment portfolios, aligning with industry trends and reflecting growing institutional trust in cryptocurrencies.

“Crypto is becoming too big to miss for issuers, especially those who have in-house advisers.” — Todd Sohn, Senior ETF Strategist, Strategas Securities