U.S. Banking Giant Morgan Stanley Holds $272.1 Million in Bitcoin

Morgan Stanley has revealed a significant investment of $272.1 million in Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), reflecting the bank's expanding interest in cryptocurrencies.

This move aligns with a broader trend among major financial institutions incorporating digital assets into their portfolios, as shown in a recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

While the investment constitutes only a small portion of Morgan Stanley’s $1.2 trillion in assets under management, it signals a growing institutional acceptance of Bitcoin. Other financial firms, like Goldman Sachs and DRW Capital, have also reported substantial ETF holdings, indicating increased comfort with digital assets.

Morgan Stanley’s investment in Bitcoin ETFs marks a continued commitment to the cryptocurrency sector, following its earlier acquisition of Grayscale Bitcoin Trust shares. Such institutional investments could significantly impact the Bitcoin market, with even modest allocations potentially driving demand and prices higher.

Recently, Bitcoin’s value rose by 12.2%, reaching $67,771, with the ETF market experiencing record inflows of $555.86 million on October 14. As of October 17, the total net assets of spot Bitcoin ETFs stood at $64.06 billion, suggesting that as more institutions embrace Bitcoin, it may achieve broader mainstream acceptance in finance.