Morgan Stanley Plans Bitcoin Custody and Trading

Morgan Stanley is preparing to launch in house Bitcoin custody and trading services, with lending and yield products under exploration.

Key Takeaways

• Morgan Stanley plans to build a native Bitcoin custody and exchange platform for its clients.
• The firm manages between $8 trillion and $9 trillion in assets across its platform.
• Bitcoin lending and yield products are being explored as part of a broader roadmap.
• The move signals deeper Wall Street integration of Bitcoin into mainstream finance.

What Happened?

Morgan Stanley confirmed it is developing an in house Bitcoin custody and trading solution that will allow clients to directly hold and exchange digital assets under the firm’s oversight. The announcement was made by Amy Oldenburg, Head of Digital Asset Strategy, during recent industry events in Las Vegas and at Strategy World.

The platform rollout is expected over the next year, beginning with expanded crypto trading access through E-Trade before transitioning into a fully native custody and exchange solution.

Morgan Stanley Builds Its Own Bitcoin Infrastructure

The Wall Street giant, which manages nearly $9 trillion in assets, is choosing to build its digital asset infrastructure from scratch rather than relying on third party providers. According to Oldenburg, reliability and brand trust are central to the decision.

She said:

“

People expect Morgan Stanley – they trust our brand – to be no-fail. When you sit in that position, you have a significant responsibility to your clients to make sure that you’re delivering that in any level of technology.

Amy OldenburgHead of Digital Asset Strategy – Morgan Stanley

She reiterated a similar message at Strategy World, stating, “People expect Morgan Stanley, they trust our brand, to be no fail.”

The firm believes that owning the full technology stack will ensure operational control and meet the high reliability standards expected by its retail, high net worth, and institutional clients.

Custody, Trading, and More on the Roadmap

The upcoming platform will allow clients to custody and trade Bitcoin directly. In addition, the bank is exploring Bitcoin based yield and lending services, although no launch date has been announced.

Oldenburg described yield and lending as “a natural part of the roadmap to continue to explore,” while emphasizing that the firm remains “early in the journey.”

By bringing client held crypto assets onto its platform, Morgan Stanley could eventually offer:

• Direct Bitcoin custody under regulated oversight
• Integrated trading services
• Lending products tied to digital asset holdings
• Yield generation opportunities

However, Oldenburg acknowledged that some clients, especially those aligned with the Bitcoin community, may continue to prefer self custody arrangements.

Growing Institutional Confidence in Bitcoin

Morgan Stanley’s approach reflects a notable shift from earlier caution toward digital assets. Under a more favorable regulatory climate following the election of United States President Donald Trump, the bank has gradually expanded its crypto strategy.

Last year, analysts at the firm increased recommended crypto allocations from 1 percent to 2 percent for income and balanced portfolios, and up to 4 percent for opportunistic growth strategies. The firm has also described Bitcoin as “akin to digital gold,” positioning it as a scarce asset that may offer long term diversification benefits.

The bank has confirmed plans to enable retail trading of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana through ETrade. In January 2026, it filed for spot Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana exchange traded funds with the SEC, further signaling its long term commitment to digital assets.

Oldenburg also noted that early Bitcoin adoption has been visible across 17 of the top 20 emerging markets globally, reinforcing the firm’s conviction that digital assets are becoming structurally integrated into the global financial system.

CoinLaw’s Takeaway

In my experience covering institutional crypto adoption, this feels like another major validation moment for Bitcoin. When a firm managing nearly $9 trillion decides to build its own custody and trading stack instead of outsourcing it, that tells me this is not a short term experiment.

I see this as Wall Street moving from cautious exposure to full scale integration. The addition of lending and yield services could transform Bitcoin from a passive holding into a productive asset within traditional portfolios. That shift matters.

Morgan Stanley is not just offering access. It is building infrastructure. And that signals confidence.

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