Morgan Stanley launched its Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), MSBT, on the NYSE Arca on April 8, 2026, becoming the first major U.S. bank to offer such a product. The fund features a competitive 0.14% fee and is part of a broader expansion by the bank into digital assets, including plans to establish a crypto trust, offer staking, and file for staked Ethereum and Solana ETFs.
Morgan Stanley began trading its Bitcoin ETF, MSBT, on the NYSE Arca. This launch marks the first time a major U.S. bank has offered a Bitcoin ETF to its clients.
The fund reportedly charges a 0.14% fee. This fee is positioned as potentially the lowest among currently trading BTC ETFs such as IBIT and FBTC.
Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas noted Morgan Stanley’s substantial influence. “Again, the reason this particular launch is so interesting is that this will be the first bank to put out spot btc ETF and this bank happens to have 16k advisors managing $6T in assets. They are the ultimate gatekeepers of rich boomer money,” he stated.
The launch is part of a wider strategic expansion into digital assets. The bank is seeking a national trust charter to hold crypto, execute trades, and offer staking services.
Morgan Stanley has also filed to list a staked Ethereum ETF and a Solana ETF. As reported, the bank plans to launch retail crypto spot trading on ETrade, starting with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.
Amy Oldenburg leads the bank’s digital asset group. She has been shaping this strategy since early 2023.
The introduction of MSBT and similar regulated products indicates deeper institutional engagement with cryptocurrency. These products provide retail investors access through regulated channels without requiring them to manage private keys.
