Morgan Stanley has utilized to the Workplace of the Comptroller of the Foreign money (OCC) to ascertain a devoted digital asset belief financial institution.
Based on a submitting revealed on February 27, the proposed entity, Morgan Stanley Digital Belief, Nationwide Affiliation (MSDTNA), would function as a nationally chartered belief financial institution targeted on custody providers for crypto belongings.
The belief financial institution, which might be wholly owned by Morgan Stanley Capital Administration, plans to carry digital belongings on behalf of purchasers and conduct associated actions, equivalent to shopping for, promoting, swapping, and transferring tokens to assist funding methods. The entity would additionally facilitate staking providers on a fiduciary foundation.
The management workforce attracts from Morgan Stanley’s present banking subsidiaries. John Ryan would function the brand new belief financial institution’s chairman and chief government, with Chad Turner as president and Amanda Kan as chief working officer.
Morgan Stanley’s wealth administration division, which the belief financial institution would assist, has noticed substantial crypto holdings amongst its shopper base that at present sit outdoors the agency’s platforms. The brand new entity may carry these belongings in-house underneath a regulated construction.
Main US monetary establishments have accelerated efforts to construct compliant infrastructure for digital asset providers amid a extra favorable regulatory local weather underneath President Trump. Rivals, together with BNY Mellon and State Avenue, have additionally pursued crypto custody capabilities.
Morgan Stanley is exploring Bitcoin-backed lending and yield merchandise as a part of its digital asset roadmap. The financial institution plans to permit E*Commerce prospects to commerce spot crypto earlier than introducing its personal custody and trade platform.
Based on Amy Oldenburg, Morgan Stanley’s head of digital belongings, the financial institution goals to construct in-house infrastructure and cut back reliance on third-party know-how.
The applying comes as Morgan Stanley expands its digital belongings division.
LinkedIn job listings first reported by GSR’s Content material Head Frank Chaparro present that the agency is hiring for management roles equivalent to Digital Property Strategist and Portfolio Enablement and Governance Lead in New York.
The recruitment effort additionally emphasizes regulatory and operational depth, with positions together with Compliance Officer in Dallas and Operations Technique Director in New York, roles that assist the oversight framework.
Morgan Stanley is hiring for dozens of crypto roles and opening the pipes on the similar time.
Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Belief ETF ($BTC) is now out there on Morgan Stanley’s platform, opening entry to greater than $7.4T in advisor AUM.
2026 goes to be explosive for crypto. pic.twitter.com/pXuCvpOkuq
— Frank Chaparro (@fintechfrank) January 27, 2026
