Morgan Stanley has intensified its commitment to the cryptocurrency arena by applying for a national trust bank charter aimed at providing custody services for digital assets. This strategic move positions the financial giant, which boasts over $7 trillion in assets under management and serves 18 million clients, to securely handle Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL) among other cryptocurrencies.
The filing, submitted to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) on February 18, 2026, indicates Morgan Stanley”s readiness to offer enhanced digital asset services. With regulatory frameworks in the United States becoming clearer, the bank”s initiative aligns well with recent guidance from the OCC and the Federal Reserve, which permit banks to custody cryptocurrencies on behalf of their clients.
This national trust charter application follows a robust financial performance by Morgan Stanley, which reported a net revenue of $17.9 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a 10% increase compared to the previous year. The bank”s outstanding results were driven primarily by its wealth management sector, indicating a healthy appetite for services that blend traditional finance with innovative digital asset offerings.
Moreover, the OCC has previously approved similar applications from various companies, including Fidelity Digital, Ripple Labs, and Paxos, suggesting a growing acceptance of cryptocurrency custody within the traditional banking framework. Morgan Stanley”s pursuit of this charter indicates a strategic pivot towards remaining competitive in the evolving financial landscape.
In addition to the custody application, Morgan Stanley has also filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to offer exchange-traded funds (ETFs) focused on spot Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. This move underscores the bank”s commitment to integrating cryptocurrency services into its portfolio, reflecting an increasing institutional interest in digital assets.
The implications of Morgan Stanley”s entry into the crypto market are significant, especially in a climate where traditional financial institutions are slowly embracing blockchain technology. As the bank taps into the potential of digital assets, it signals a pivotal moment for mainstream adoption, driven by regulatory clarity and institutional confidence.
As more banks like Morgan Stanley look to offer cryptocurrency services, the landscape for digital assets could experience a transformative shift, potentially enhancing investor sentiment and paving the way for wider acceptance across the financial sector.
