Morgan Stanley’s Bitcoin ETFs are ‘last taboo’ to adoption

Morgan Stanley, the largest wealth management firm in the U.S., has authorized its 15,000 financial advisors to recommend Bitcoin exchange-traded funds to select clients.

As of Aug. 7, advisors can now offer BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust and Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund to clients with a net worth of at least $1.5 million and a high-risk tolerance.

As one expert noted, this decision could drive more widespread adoption of Bitcoin (BTC) in the coming months. 

“This is the last taboo…with Morgan Stanley giving their wealth advisors the greenlight to allocate to Bitcoin ETFs it’s just a matter of time before it gains traction,” said CNBC reporters in reference to the new influx of advisor funds. 

The move shows increasing acceptance of crypto by major financial institutions, signaling the potential for broader integration into traditional portfolios.

Bitcoin ETFs

Morgan Stanley’s decision reflects growing client demand for digital assets despite the ongoing skepticism from other major financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan, which restrict their advisors from proactively offering Bitcoin ETFs.

While Morgan Stanley is taking a cautious approach, allowing only specific clients access to these ETFs, experts believe this could pave the way for broader adoption. 

The SEC’s recent approval of 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs could mark the beginning of a new phase in Bitcoin’s integration into traditional investment portfolios.