Morgan Stanley, one of the world’s largest financial institutions managing nearly $1.7 trillion in assets, is preparing to launch its own Morgan Stanley crypto wallet in the second half of 2026, as reported by Bloomberg. For institutional investors, this is less about crypto trading and more about custody, compliance, and tokenized wealth.

Source: Bloomberg Reporting
The move comes after it recently rolled out direct virtual asset trading on E*trade (its online brokerage) in the first half, marking a major step in Wall Street’s shift toward blockchain-based finance.
At the same time, the financial giant is expanding in private markets by deepening its Carta partnership to serve employees of private companies and acquiring EquityZen to improve access to private-company shares. These moves aim to simplify transactions and make long-term investing easier.
As for now, traditional finance embraces tokenization, could this signal a permanent change in how wealth is stored and managed?
According to reports, the Morgan Stanley crypto wallet will act as a secure platform for holding and transacting blockchain-based assets. The planned wallet will support:
Tokenized real-world assets (RWAs)
Private equity and private market investments
Traditional financial securities
Potentially major cryptocurrencies
Importantly, this wallet is not designed for retail crypto-coins speculation. Instead, it targets institutional and high-net-worth portfolios, where compliance, custody, and integration with traditional assets matter more than short-term trading.
The firm's Wealth Management head Jed Finn previously described E*Trade as part of a long-term upgrade to financial infrastructure, rather than a short-term trend. And now we are seeing the developments.
The digital wallet announcement follows several major digital asset moves by the firm. In early January 2026, MorganStanley filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for in-house cryptocurrencies trusts, including:
A Bitcoin Trust holding BTC directly
A Solana Trust with partial staking rewards

Source: SEC Official
To support this, the organisation is expected to work with regulated partners such as ZeroHash for liquidity and custody services. This approach allows the firm to expand digital assets access while staying within regulatory boundaries.
Indirectly, the step could also support broader cryptocurrency adoption, potentially benefiting Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, as well as crypto ETFs offered through partners like BlackRock.
These filings mark the firm’s first major move into proprietary digital asset investment products, following its 2025 decision to expand cryptocurrency access beyond high-net-worth clients.
The wallet launch comes as the tokenized asset market grows rapidly. According to the Ripple–BCG report, tokenized funds are projected to surge around $18.9 trillion by 2033. Tokenization enables assets like private equity and real estate to be traded more efficiently on chains.

Source: Ripple–BCG Report
By rolling out the plan, Morgan Stanley positions itself as a leader in institutional digital asset services, focusing on custody, compliance, and long-term portfolio use rather than speculation.
On the other side market reaction is neutral – not so hyped, not negative. Morgan Stanley stock (NYSE: MS) on Thursday went a little down with -0.6% to $184.68.
While there was no immediate price surge following the announcement, the crypto-wallet strengthens the firm’s long-term growth outlook.
With tokenized assets, cryptocurrency trading, and regulated custody all coming together, Morgan Stanley is betting on a future where digital assets sit alongside stocks and bonds in mainstream portfolios.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice.
Bhumika Baghel is a rising crypto content writer with a deepening interest in blockchain technology and digital finance. With a keen understanding of market trends and cryptocurrency ecosystems, she breaks down intricate subjects like Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, and NFTs into accessible and engaging content. Bhumika blends well-researched insights with a clear, concise writing style that resonates with both newcomers and experienced crypto enthusiasts. Committed to tracking price fluctuations, new project developments, and regulatory shifts, she ensures her readers stay informed in the fast-moving world of crypto. Bhumika is a strong advocate of blockchain’s potential to drive innovation and promote financial inclusion on a global scale.