The banking giant Morgan Stanley is reportedly planning to introduce cryptocurrencies on its E*Trade investment brokerage and trading platform. According to a Bloomberg report from May 1, the firm aims to list crypto assets on E*Trade in 2026. The initiative is still in its early stages, and the bank is exploring partnerships with established cryptocurrency firms to facilitate this new service. Preliminary discussions about incorporating cryptocurrency began in late 2024.
This move is not Morgan Stanley’s first foray into the world of digital assets. The firm’s wealthy clientele has had access to cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and futures for some time now, with advisers beginning to pitch Bitcoin ETFs since August 2024.
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Regulatory Tailwinds Push Crypto Forward
The announcement follows earlier reports indicating that Morgan Stanley was contemplating adding cryptocurrency trading to its E*Trade platform in early January, amid expectations of a more favorable regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies.
In the context of the evolving regulatory environment in the United States, this development has gained traction since the election of President Donald Trump, who campaigned on a pro-crypto platform and is personally involved in various blockchain ventures.
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The initial 30 days of Trump’s administration were marked by significant shifts within the local crypto industry. Recently, U.S. cryptocurrency advocates have expressed optimism following the swearing-in of pro-crypto Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins, who signals a more accommodating approach to crypto regulation.
The SEC had already begun shifting its stance prior to Atkins’s appointment, pausing numerous cryptocurrency enforcement cases with approaching deadlines in late February.
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