Morgan Stanley exec says crypto ETF adoption still ‘very early’ as advisors weigh allocations
A Morgan Stanley executive stated that crypto ETF adoption is still in its early stages as advisors evaluate digital asset allocations.Summary
Amy Oldenburg, Morgan Stanley’s head of digital asset strategy, stated at the DC Blockchain Summit that adoption of crypto ETFs remains very early, with most current demand coming from self-directed investors rather than advisor-managed accounts. She noted that about 80% of the activity on their platform is through the self-directed business, emphasizing that more work is needed to integrate these assets into broader financial advisor asset allocation models. Morgan Stanley began allowing bitcoin ETF purchases in 2024 as part of a managed rollout. This discussion occurs as major institutions like Morgan Stanley and Bank of America suggest crypto allocations ranging from 1% to 4% in model portfolios, though some professional investors are now considering up to 5%. Despite over $68 billion in inflows into U.S. spot bitcoin and ether ETFs since their 2024 launch, panelists noted that major advisory platforms only recently began making these products widely available to financial advisors, marking a significant step for the advisory community.
(Source：The Block)