Morgan Stanley Seeks SEC Approval for Spot Bitcoin ETF

Morgan Stanley has submitted a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to introduce the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust, which would be a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). This marks the first time a major U.S. bank has sought approval to issue an ETF directly tied to the price of bitcoin, holding the asset rather than relying on futures or derivatives. This move positions Morgan Stanley alongside asset managers like BlackRock and Fidelity, who have dominated the market since spot products were approved in early 2024. The proposed fund would be sponsored by Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and its value would track major spot bitcoin exchange activity. This step follows Morgan Stanley's prior expansion of crypto access within its wealth management business and allows the firm to integrate the popular, fast-growing ETF product directly into client portfolios while retaining management fees. The bank also filed for a Solana-linked fund, though bitcoin remains the primary focus of institutional interest.

(Source：Bitcoin Magazine)