Morgan Stanley is rolling out spot cryptocurrency trading on its E*Trade platform, a move that places the London‑based bank among a small cohort of major institutions offering direct crypto access. The firm, which acquired E*Trade for roughly $13 bn in 2020, will launch the service to its 8 million customers after a pilot, charging a fee of $0.005 per dollar traded today.

Pricing undercuts rivals such as Charles Schwab and positions Morgan Stanley as one of only a handful of banks to offer spot crypto trading. Standard Chartered began allowing bitcoin and ether last year, but most banks have hesitated amid ongoing U.S. debates over digital‑asset market‑structure rules. The launch follows the firm’s April debut of a spot bitcoin fund that has attracted $231 mn.

The fee structure makes the service cheaper than competitors, and the move comes as the Trump administration relaxes enforcement and pushes for legislation that could provide clearer oversight. With bitcoin down 6 % this year and ether and Solana falling 19 % and 28 % respectively, investors will gauge whether Morgan Stanley’s entry can stabilize demand and signal broader institutional acceptance globally today.