Morgan Stanley’s Big Step: E*Trade to Offer Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana in 2026

Morgan Stanley is preparing to take a major step into cryptocurrency by bringing digital asset trading to its popular ETrade platform. Starting in the first half of 2026, users of ETrade will be able to buy, sell, and hold Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL). For many traditional investors, this means they can access crypto directly through a trusted platform they already use for stocks and bonds.

This move comes at a time when cryptocurrencies are becoming more accepted by large financial institutions, helped by friendlier policies and a growing interest from both retail and institutional investors. For everyday investors, the change could remove the hassle of setting up accounts on lesser-known crypto exchanges and allow them to trade digital assets in a familiar environment.

To make this possible, Morgan Stanley has partnered with Zerohash, a company that specializes in providing digital asset infrastructure. Zerohash will handle the behind-the-scenes work, such as custody and transaction processing, ensuring that trades are secure and compliant. Zerohash recently reached a valuation of over $1 billion after raising $104 million in funding. Backers include major financial names such as Interactive Brokers, SoFi, and Morgan Stanley itself. This gives the partnership strong financial backing and credibility.

At launch, the service will only support three cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. These were chosen because they are among the largest and most actively traded digital assets in the market. While some competitors like Robinhood offer a wider selection of tokens, Morgan Stanley’s strategy appears to focus on starting small with the most established assets before expanding later.

Here’s a snapshot of their market size as of late 2025:

For Morgan Stanley, this is not the first interaction with crypto. The bank has previously offered Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), but adding direct trading to E*Trade represents a much bolder step. It signals that large financial institutions are beginning to treat digital assets as a core part of investment portfolios rather than just experimental products.

The move has been welcomed by many who see it as a bridge between traditional finance and digital assets. For retail investors, it makes cryptocurrency easier to access in a safe and regulated way. For institutions, it represents a growing acceptance of crypto as a legitimate asset class. However, there are also concerns. Some critics point out that starting with only three cryptocurrencies could feel limiting compared to other platforms. Others warn that if fees are too high or regulations change, adoption might be slower than expected. In the fast-moving world of crypto, even a launch scheduled for early 2026 can feel far away.

Morgan Stanley’s Crypto Integration: A Step Towards Mainstream Adoption

If successful, Morgan Stanley’s move to include crypto trading in E*Trade could speed up the acceptance of cryptocurrencies in the mainstream financial world. This might push other big brokers and banks to offer similar services, leading to a significant increase in investments. This could increase the value of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana over the next few years. Currently, the announcement highlights how far cryptocurrencies have come from being seen as a niche asset just a few years ago. From Bitcoin’s start in 2009 to major Wall Street firms like Morgan Stanley getting ready to offer direct trading, the progress of digital assets is evident.

Morgan Stanley’s plan marks an important moment for both traditional finance and the digital asset industry. With Zerohash providing the necessary technology, investors will find it easier and safer to access Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. Although questions about fees, regulations, and future growth remain, this development shows that cryptocurrencies are becoming a central part of the financial system.

As adoption continues, the gap between traditional investing and digital assets may disappear, leading to a new era where trading cryptocurrencies is as common as buying stocks in well-known companies.