Morgan Stanley Files for Spot Bitcoin and Solana ETFs
Banking giant's move to launch its own crypto investment products signals deepening institutional adoption and follows strong market inflows.
Morgan Stanley has taken a significant step to deepen its presence in the digital asset market, filing registration statements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch its own spot Bitcoin and Solana exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
The move, which was formally registered on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, positions Morgan Stanley to be the first major U.S. bank to offer its own branded crypto ETF products. The filings outline the creation of the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust and the Morgan Stanley Solana Trust, which would provide investors with direct, regulated exposure to the two popular cryptocurrencies. Shares of Morgan Stanley (MS) reacted positively to the news, climbing 2.55% to $186.54 in trading, a new 52-week high for the financial services powerhouse.
This strategic push into crypto-based financial products underscores the growing acceptance of digital assets on Wall Street. It follows a period of surging institutional interest, with over $1.16 billion flowing into cryptocurrency investment vehicles in the first week of 2026 alone. According to a company press release, the proposed ETFs are designed as passive investment vehicles that track the performance of Bitcoin and Solana.
Notably, the filing for the Solana Trust includes a provision for the fund to engage in staking activities. Staking involves participating in a proof-of-stake network to earn rewards, which could provide an additional source of yield for the fund's investors—a feature that distinguishes it from many existing crypto products.
The filings represent the latest in a series of deliberate moves by the bank, which boasts a market capitalization of approximately $290 billion. In October 2025, Morgan Stanley expanded cryptocurrency investment options for all of its wealth management clients, removing previous restrictions and signaling a new era of institutional adoption. The firm had previously indicated plans to integrate direct crypto trading onto its E-Trade platform, further embedding digital assets into its service offerings.
By filing for its own ETFs, Morgan Stanley is looking to capitalize on growing client demand for accessible and regulated ways to invest in the asset class. The creation of in-house products allows the firm not only to meet this demand but also to capture management fees and position itself as a trusted gateway to the crypto market for its vast client base, which includes corporations, governments, and high-net-worth individuals.
The proposals for the Bitcoin and Solana trusts are now subject to a thorough review by the SEC. While the S-1 filings mark a critical first step, the registration statements are not yet effective and details regarding listing exchanges and custodians have not been finalized. Investors and market observers will be closely watching the regulatory process, as approval would mark a landmark moment for the integration of traditional finance and the burgeoning digital asset economy, according to market reports. The outcome will likely influence whether other major financial institutions follow suit with their own crypto ETF offerings.