Morgan Stanley is gearing up to enter the retail crypto space by integrating digital asset trading into its E*Trade platform, with a launch targeted for next year.
The investment giant is reportedly in early talks with established crypto firms to enable trading of top tokens like Bitcoin and Ethereum, marking a notable shift in strategy.
Behind the scenes, discussions began gaining momentum in 2023, but recent regulatory tailwinds under President Trump’s administration appear to have accelerated the timeline.
The new White House has signaled strong support for digital assets, scrapping previous barriers and issuing directives to promote U.S. dominance in crypto and fintech.
This bold step by Morgan Stanley could put pressure on current leaders in the space, especially Robinhood and Coinbase. Robinhood alone saw over $600 million in crypto revenue last year, thanks in part to increased trading during the early months of Trump’s term.
For years, major banks kept crypto at arm’s length, citing unclear regulations and cybersecurity concerns. But Morgan Stanley has already warmed to the sector, offering limited access to crypto ETFs and futures for wealthy clients. Now, it’s eyeing a broader audience.
At a recent crypto event, Eric Trump echoed the growing optimism, suggesting that blockchain could eventually replace legacy systems like SWIFT—and possibly, traditional banking itself.
Coinbase has taken a major step toward expanding its decentralized finance (DeFi) presence by bringing onboard the leadership team behind Opyn Markets, a prominent name in the DeFi derivatives space.
Grayscale Investments has called on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to allow the launch of its multi-crypto ETF—the Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund—arguing that further delays violate statutory deadlines and harm investors.
Robinhood has officially introduced Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) staking services for its U.S. customers, offering a new way for users to earn rewards on their crypto holdings.
Binance CEO Richard Teng shared an optimistic outlook on the future of cryptocurrencies during an appearance on Mornings with Maria, highlighting growing global acceptance, regulatory progress, and strategic reserve integration.