Morgan Stanley Files with SEC for Spot Solana and Bitcoin ETFs

 Highlights:

• Morgan Stanley files SEC registration for new Bitcoin and Solana investment funds.
• Funds will passively track token prices, holding them without selling for extra profit.
• Bitcoin ETFs see $1.1 billion in inflows during the first two trading days of 2026.

Morgan Stanley has filed registration papers with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to introduce two crypto funds. One fund tracks Bitcoin and another tracks Solana. Filings arrived on Tuesday, which clearly shows rising interest from large banks in regulated crypto products.

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Morgan Stanley Unveils Bitcoin and Solana Passive Funds to Tap 19 Million Clients

The documents are named Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust and Morgan Stanley Solana Trust. Both funds are set as passive vehicles. Each fund plans to hold tokens directly and follow price changes only, without any trading activity aimed at higher returns. Initial S 1 forms did not list exchanges for share trading. Such details usually appear later under 19b 4 filings. Approval would open access for a wide investor base tied to Morgan Stanley wealth services.

Company letters show more than 19 million clients under Morgan Stanley wealth management as of April last year. Approval could attract fresh capital flows toward Bitcoin and Solana through existing advisory channels. 

💥BREAKING:

$1.3T MORGAN STANLEY FILES AN S-1 REGISTRATION FOR A BITCOIN TRUST WITH THE SEC. pic.twitter.com/E3Jnf9dFYr

— Crypto Rover (@cryptorover) January 6, 2026

Early 2026 data already signals strong demand. Spot Bitcoin funds recorded $1.1 billion in inflows during the first two trading days of 2026. On the other side, Solana exchange-traded funds now hold over $1 billion in assets, according to SoSoValue. Bitwise’s BSOL fund holds the largest share with $732 million. Overall, ETF assets equal about 1.4% of Solana’s total market value.

Analysts linked demand to renewed investor interest at the start of a new year. Morgan Stanley Investment Management appears as the sponsor for both trusts. CSC Delaware Trust Company serves as trustee. Filings mention custody plans, with a large share of private keys stored offline and remaining keys kept in online wallets. It also confirms funds will not sell tokens for profit. Price tracking remains the only goal. Sponsors will not attempt trading strategies or price timing. 

Morgan Stanley Expands Crypto Access While Wall Street Boosts ETF Guidance

These filings show Morgan Stanley moving further into crypto as traditional firms adopt digital assets. Last year, the bank announced it would offer crypto trading to retail clients through its E-trade platform. Jed Finn, head of wealth management, said the firm plans to list Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana first.

🚨 Morgan Stanley's E*Trade to List Digital Assets in 1H26 in Partnership with ZeroHash.$MS Will Also Invest in ZeroHash's $100M Raise Led by $IBKR, at a Reported $1B Valuation. Additional participants include SoFi, Jump, and some Apollo funds. pic.twitter.com/KcytikydvM

— matthew sigel, recovering CFA (@matthew_sigel) September 23, 2025

In October, Morgan Stanley allowed advisors to offer crypto funds to all wealth management clients, not only wealthy ones. Clients can now invest in crypto across all account types, including individual retirement accounts and 401(k) plans. Earlier, crypto access was limited to clients with at least $1.5 million and a higher risk tolerance.

Morgan Stanley filings arrived amid broader activity from major banks. One day earlier, Bank of America allowed advisors to suggest exposure to four Bitcoin funds across wealth platforms. Bank of America employs more than 15,000 advisors. Advisors operate under the Merrill, Bank of America Private Bank, and Merrill Edge brands. Wealthy clients can now receive direct guidance on Bitcoin fund exposure. Vanguard also adjusted its policy in December last year by opening crypto fund trading for clients. 

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