Morgan Stanley has filed to launch exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to Bitcoin and Solana, marking one of the strongest signals yet that traditional Wall Street institutions are moving aggressively to deepen their exposure to digital assets. The filings, place the U.S. investment bank among a growing list of major financial players seeking to capitalize on renewed momentum in the cryptocurrency market.
According to the filings, Morgan Stanley is seeking regulatory approval for separate spot ETFs linked to Bitcoin and Solana, two of the most prominent cryptocurrencies by market capitalization and network usage. Bitcoin remains the dominant digital asset and is widely viewed by institutional investors as a store of value, while Solana has gained attention for its high-speed blockchain infrastructure and expanding role in decentralized finance and consumer-facing crypto applications.
The move comes as investor appetite for crypto-linked products rebounds sharply following a strong rally at the start of 2026. Bitcoin has been trading near record highs, while Solana has outperformed much of the broader market amid rising activity on its network. The renewed demand has encouraged asset managers and banks to push beyond passive exposure and offer more structured investment vehicles to both institutional and retail clients.
Morgan Stanley’s ETF filings build on a broader shift in its digital asset strategy. The bank has previously allowed select high-net-worth clients access to Bitcoin funds and futures-based products, but a spot ETF structure represents a more direct and accessible way for investors to gain exposure without holding the underlying tokens. ETFs are traded on traditional stock exchanges and are typically seen as lower-friction, more compliant entry points into emerging asset classes.
Industry analysts say the inclusion of Solana is particularly notable. While Bitcoin ETFs have become increasingly common since U.S. regulators opened the door to spot Bitcoin products, filings tied to alternative layer-one blockchains are still relatively rare. Solana’s growing ecosystem, which includes payments, NFTs, gaming, and decentralized finance platforms, appears to be drawing increasing interest from institutional players looking beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The filings also reflect intensifying competition among Wall Street firms to secure early-mover advantage in crypto investment products. Asset managers including BlackRock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, and Invesco already have exposure to Bitcoin-related ETFs or have filed for similar products. Morgan Stanley’s entry into both Bitcoin and Solana ETFs suggests the bank is positioning itself not just as a distributor of crypto products, but as a direct participant in shaping the next phase of digital asset adoption.
Regulatory approval remains the key hurdle. While U.S. regulators have shown greater willingness to approve spot Bitcoin ETFs in recent years, products linked to other cryptocurrencies such as Solana are likely to face closer scrutiny. Issues around market surveillance, liquidity, and custody standards remain central to the approval process. Morgan Stanley has not disclosed a timeline for potential launches, and approval will ultimately depend on decisions by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Market reaction to the news has been broadly positive, with crypto-linked stocks and tokens seeing modest gains following reports of the filings. Investors appear to be interpreting the move as further validation of digital assets as a permanent fixture in global capital markets rather than a speculative side trade.
If approved, the ETFs could significantly expand access to Bitcoin and Solana for traditional investors, including pension funds, advisors, and institutions restricted from directly holding cryptocurrencies.
JPMorgan launches tokenized money market fund on Ethereum
