What Changed on October 15?
According to CNBC, Morgan Stanley has broadened access to crypto investments across its entire client base. Starting October 15, advisors can pitch crypto funds to any client—not just those with aggressive risk profiles and $1.5 million in assets. Retirement accounts are now included too, a dramatic expansion from the bank’s earlier restrictions.
This means everyday investors will see bitcoin, ether, and even solana placed alongside traditional funds, bringing crypto into mainstream wealth management.
Why Morgan Stanley Is Doing This Now?
The policy shift comes as the U.S. government’s tone on crypto has warmed since President Donald Trump’s election. Regulators once hostile to the asset class are now making space for large institutions to offer it.
For Morgan Stanley, which manages $8.2 trillion, the decision is also about defending ground. Retail-friendly platforms like Coinbase and Robinhood have been luring investors into crypto for years. Opening the door to all clients signals the bank isn’t going to let fintech rivals dominate this space.
How Will Risk Be Controlled?
Crypto remains volatile, and Morgan Stanley isn’t ignoring that. CNBC reports the firm has set up automated monitoring to ensure clients don’t overload their portfolios with digital assets.
The bank’s global investment committee recently issued guidance recommending a maximum initial allocation of 4%. That cap varies depending on whether a client is focused on protecting wealth or chasing opportunistic growth, but the principle is clear: exposure is encouraged, concentration is not.
What Assets Can Clients Buy?
For now, advisors are limited to bitcoin funds from BlackRock and Fidelity. But sources told CNBC that Morgan Stanley is actively evaluating more crypto offerings and could expand soon. Clients can also request to be placed into any listed crypto exchange-traded product, widening their options further.
Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley’s E-Trade unit is preparing to roll out direct trading of bitcoin, ether, and solana. That reinforces the message: crypto isn’t a side bet—it’s becoming part of the bank’s long-term wealth strategy.
What This Means for Investors?
The move represents a turning point. Wall Street’s velvet ropes around crypto are gone, and one of the world’s largest wealth managers now sees digital assets as viable for everyone—even retirees.
As CNBC highlights, the firm still frames crypto as speculative, but its decision to normalize access suggests it expects the asset class to endure. The real question is how quickly other banks will follow—and whether mainstream adoption accelerates the next wave of growth.