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.
Ripple has secured a strategic partnership with Chipper Cash to enhance cross-border payments across Africa, utilizing Ripple’s blockchain and XRP for fast, cost-effective transactions.
Custodia Bank, a notable player in the crypto space, has partnered with Vantage Bank to introduce a groundbreaking stablecoin, marking a first for the U.S. banking sector.
World Network, formerly known as Worldcoin, is reportedly in advanced discussions with Visa to launch a new stablecoin wallet that would seamlessly integrate crypto-native features into Visa’s vast global customer base.
The European Central Bank (ECB) is accelerating its digital euro plans, aiming to reduce reliance on U.S. payment giants and foreign stablecoins.