Morgan Stanley is set to launch cryptocurrency offerings on its E*Trade platform by 2026, as reported by Bloomberg. This venture is still in the early stages, with discussions of partnerships underway. The bank has previously offered some crypto access to its wealthiest clients. The regulatory environment in the US seems to be becoming more favourable after President Trump’s election, adding optimism to the crypto market.
Morgan Stanley is reportedly gearing up to launch cryptocurrency offerings on its E*Trade platform. According to a Bloomberg article from May 1, the investment bank aims to facilitate the listing of crypto assets by 2026. Currently, the concept is still in the early stages of development, with talks of potential partnerships with established crypto firms. Reportedly, discussions within the bank started back in late 2024 to explore how best to support digital currencies.
This new venture won’t be Morgan Stanley’s first engagement with cryptocurrencies. For a while now, some of the bank’s highest-net-worth clients have had access to crypto-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and futures trading. Since August 2024, advisers at the bank have been allowed to suggest Bitcoin ETFs as investment options to their clients.
The news comes on the heels of earlier reports from January indicating Morgan Stanley’s interest in adding cryptocurrency trading to its E*Trade platform, amid expectations of a more welcoming regulatory environment. The outlook for crypto appears to have brightened considerably in the US, particularly in light of Donald Trump’s election, who publicly supports blockchain technology and is reportedly involved in various related projects.
Indeed, the early days of Trump’s presidency saw notable adjustments within the US crypto landscape. Recently, supporters of cryptocurrencies have expressed increased confidence following the appointment of pro-crypto SEC Chair Paul Atkins. The SEC had previously been viewed as a heavy-handed regulator but seemed to ease its approach before Atkins officially took office.
Earlier this year, in February, the SEC made headlines by pausing several enforcement actions related to cryptocurrency, stirring optimism within the industry. As this story continues to unfold, more updates will be provided as information emerges.
