Morgan Stanley has made moves into the cryptocurrency sector by applying to the US Securities and Exchange Commission for two exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that would be associated with Bitcoin and Solana. This shift is timed with a notable increase in demand for regulated cryptocurrency investment options as we transition into the new year, often referred to as the “clean-slate effect.”

The proposed Bitcoin Trust and Solana Trust are meant to serve as “passive investment” vehicles that would hold and track the performance of the respective tokens. According to the filings submitted on Tuesday, the goal is to eventually allow the fund shares to be listed on public exchanges.

If given the green light, these funds could attract significant new investments from Morgan Stanley’s vast customer base, especially since its wealth management segment already serves over 19 million clients.

Recent data indicates that Bitcoin ETFs unsurprisingly garnered $1.1 billion in inflows during their first two trading days of 2026, indicating a renewed enthusiasm for digital assets from investors, likely fueled by factors related to the fresh start that the new year symbolizes.

Details About the Filing
Morgan Stanley Investment Management is the sponsor for the proposed trusts, while CSC Delaware Trust Company will operate as the Delaware trustee. Some custodial details were not fully outlined in the initial documents, but Morgan Stanley plans to keep a substantial portion of the private keys secure in cold storage.

Moreover, the funds will not aim to earn returns beyond aligning with the underlying asset prices; no speculative trading of the actual tokens is planned.

This shift follows a trend among major financial institutions toward deeper engagement in the cryptocurrency space. Not long ago, the second-largest US bank, Bank of America, began allowing their financial advisors to recommend multiple Bitcoin ETFs, keeping in line with the widening acceptance of cryptocurrency-focused financial products.

In summary, Morgan Stanley’s ETF filings mark a significant step forward in the burgeoning landscape of institutional interest in regulated cryptocurrency investment vehicles.