Morgan Stanley Expands ETF Platform with Bitcoin-Linked Product

Morgan Stanley Investment Management has launched the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust (MSBT), an exchange-traded product designed to track the performance of bitcoin, marking a significant step into digital assets for a U.S. bank-affiliated asset manager. 

The launch positions Morgan Stanley as the first U.S. bank-affiliated firm to offer a cryptocurrency ETP, reflecting growing institutional demand for regulated access to digital assets. MSBT tracks bitcoin using the CoinDesk Bitcoin Benchmark 4PM NY Settlement Rate, which aggregates trading activity across major spot exchanges. 

“ETPs remain a powerful way for investors to gain exposure to new asset classes within a transparent and regulated framework,” said Ally Wallace. “With MSBT, we’re extending our product offering to meet growing client interest in digital assets.” 

The product carries a 0.14% sponsor fee, currently the lowest among bitcoin ETPs, according to the firm. 

Coinbase and BNY will provide digital asset custody services, with BNY also serving as administrator and transfer agent, handling accounting, recordkeeping and cash management. 

The launch builds on Morgan Stanley’s broader push into digital assets, including investments in infrastructure, custody and trading capabilities. 

MSIM’s ETF platform, launched in 2023, now manages more than $12 billion across 19 products, underscoring the firm’s expanding footprint in exchange-traded solutions and alternative asset access.