Morgan Stanley, one of the largest asset managers globally, is reportedly considering adding cryptocurrency trading to its E-Trade platform, according to The Information.
The decision aligns with optimism surrounding President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to foster a crypto-friendly regulatory environment, aiming to establish the U.S. as a leader in the digital asset space.
If implemented, this move would position E-Trade among major traditional brokerages like Robinhood and Fidelity in offering crypto trading, challenging platforms such as Coinbase. E-Trade’s 5.2 million accounts currently manage $360 billion, making its potential entry into crypto a significant development for the industry.
Crypto trading has become a profitable sector for brokerages, with Robinhood reporting a 165% rise in crypto revenue year-over-year in Q3 2024. Coinbase also saw substantial gains, generating $1.2 billion in revenue, largely from crypto trading.
Morgan Stanley has already shown early support for cryptocurrencies, authorizing its advisers in 2024 to recommend Bitcoin ETFs from BlackRock and Fidelity. With $3.75 trillion under management, Morgan Stanley’s potential crypto expansion signals growing acceptance of digital assets in mainstream finance.
Global banking heavyweight Banco Santander is quietly laying the groundwork to enter the stablecoin space, eyeing fiat-pegged digital tokens as part of a broader strategy to offer crypto services to retail clients.
Crypto exchange Bitget has introduced a new investment product, BGUSD, a yield-generating stable asset tied to real-world financial instruments like U.S. Treasury bills and top-tier money market funds.
A growing number of banks are quietly integrating Ripple’s blockchain infrastructure to improve cross-border transactions, opting for a hybrid model that doesn’t require replacing their legacy systems.
Several of America’s largest banks—including entities tied to JPMorgan, Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo—are exploring the creation of a shared stablecoin, according to sources familiar with the discussions.