Morgan Stanley Seeks Approval for Bitcoin and Solana ETFs

Morgan Stanley filed registration statements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on January 6, 2026 at 12:25:49 UTC seeking approval to launch exchange-traded funds tied to Bitcoin and Solana price movements, marking the first direct crypto ETF application by a major U.S. bank.

The filings request authorization to list two separate funds, one tracking the spot price of Bitcoin and another linked to Solana, reflecting growing institutional interest in digital assets under evolving regulatory frameworks. Recent enhancements, such as the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency permitting banks to facilitate crypto transactions and revised SEC rules for spot crypto ETFs, provided the impetus for this initiative.

Industry observers note that ETFs offer investors benefits including greater liquidity, custodial security, and streamlined compliance compared to direct cryptocurrency ownership. Traditional asset managers and wealth advisory divisions previously facilitated indirect crypto exposure; the proposed ETFs would position Morgan Stanley as an active product sponsor rather than a passive custodian. Analysts anticipate that approval could attract substantial inflows given the bank’s distribution network and client base.

Historical context indicates that the first U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs received SEC clearance two years prior, triggering a wave of filings by asset managers. Morgan Stanley’s application diverges from previous filings by banks, which typically focused on custody services. The proposed funds could serve institutional, high-net-worth, and retail segments simultaneously, depending on final fund structures and minimum investment requirements.

Should the SEC grant approval, Morgan Stanley plans to leverage existing trading infrastructure and custody partnerships to support fund operations. Key considerations for regulators include market surveillance, liquidity provision, and anti-manipulation measures to safeguard investor interests. Approval timelines remain uncertain, but market participants expect a decision within six months of filing, aligning with regulatory review standards for new fund offerings.