Investors Push Wall Street: Morgan Stanley to Offer Crypto Trading on E*Trade in 2026
Morgan Stanley has announced plans to integrate cryptocurrency trading on its ETrade platform starting in the first half of 2026, marking a significant expansion of its digital asset offerings. The initiative, facilitated through a partnership with Zerohash, a Chicago-based crypto infrastructure provider, will enable ETrade clients to trade major cryptocurrencies such as bitcoinBTC-- (BTC), ether (ETH), and solanaSOL-- (SOL). This move reflects the bank’s broader strategy to position itself at the forefront of the evolving digital asset landscape, aligning with growing demand from retail and institutional investors [1].
Jed Finn, Morgan Stanley’s head of wealth management, emphasized that the initiative represents the first phase of a comprehensive crypto strategy. The bank aims to eventually offer a full wallet solution, allowing clients to hold and manage their digital assets within a unified ecosystem. Finn noted that blockchain technology has demonstrated its viability, and clients increasingly expect access to both traditional and digital assets in a seamless environment [2]. The integration of crypto trading into ETrade, which Morgan StanleyMS-- acquired in 2020, underscores the bank’s commitment to meeting these expectations while maintaining regulatory compliance.
The regulatory environment has played a pivotal role in this expansion. The Trump administration’s favorable stance on crypto regulations has accelerated industry adoption, prompting Wall Street firms to enhance their digital asset services. Morgan Stanley’s move follows similar initiatives by competitors such as Robinhood and Charles Schwab, which have already introduced crypto trading or ETF-linked products. The global crypto market, valued at approximately $3.9 trillion as of 2025, has seen bitcoin account for $2.25 trillion and ether for $506 billion of the total, according to CoinMarketCap data [3]. This growth trajectory has incentivized traditional financial institutions to capitalize on the lucrative opportunities within the sector.
In addition to expanding retail access, Morgan Stanley is developing an asset-allocation framework that incorporates crypto exposure, tailoring portfolios to individual investor goals. The bank is also exploring tokenization for back-office operations, such as settlement and clearing, to enhance efficiency. These efforts align with broader industry trends, as firms seek to leverage blockchain technology for faster transaction processing and reduced operational costs. Zerohash, which recently reached unicorn status after raising $104 million in funding, has positioned itself as a key enabler of this transition by providing scalable infrastructure for institutional-grade crypto services [4].
The partnership with Zerohash highlights Morgan Stanley’s strategic focus on collaboration with fintech innovators to deliver cutting-edge solutions. While the immediate launch will focus on three major cryptocurrencies, the bank’s long-term vision includes expanding the range of supported assets and integrating advanced features such as staking and lending. This approach mirrors the competitive landscape, where platforms like Kraken and Coinbase are also pursuing regulatory approvals to offer tokenized stocks and other digital securities. As the market matures, Morgan Stanley’s emphasis on balancing innovation with investor protection is likely to shape its role in the next phase of financial evolution [3].
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