Bitcoin News: Morgan Stanley Plans Native BTC Custody and Trading Platform

Morgan Stanley is preparing a native Bitcoin custody and trading platform as part of its wider digital asset expansion. Amy Oldenburg, the firm’s head of digital asset strategy, outlined the plan at a conference on February 25, with the platform expected to roll out over the next year.

Before the full rollout, the bank plans an initial phase that enables E*Trade clients to buy and sell spot cryptocurrencies through an existing partnership. This step places direct crypto access within Morgan Stanley’s client ecosystem while the firm builds its own long-term infrastructure.

Bitcoin News: Morgan Stanley Internal Build Strategy

In addition to the Bitcoin news, the bank is developing its BTC custody and exchange systems internally rather than relying mainly on third-party technology. That approach reflects Morgan Stanley’s focus on operational control, service reliability, and platform standards for clients using its wealth and trading channels.

Morgan Stanley’s digital asset strategy also reflects the scale of its client base. With roughly $8 trillion in assets on its platform, the firm has room to expand crypto services for investors who already hold digital assets outside the bank’s systems.

Crypto Yield and Lending Products

The immediate priority is custody and trading, while crypto yield and lending products remain in an earlier planning stage. Morgan Stanley is evaluating how those services could fit into its digital asset offering after the custody and exchange platform is established.

No timeline has been set for yield or lending products. For now, the bank’s roadmap places the core custody and trading build first, followed by additional services such as product design, compliance structure, and client demand development.

Shaping Bitcoin news, the firm also recognizes that some BTC holders will continue to prefer self-custody. That preference remains common among Bitcoin investors, so the planned platform is positioned as an added option for clients seeking bank-based custody and trading within a familiar financial institution.

JPMorgan Chase Predicts a Bullish Market Amid BTC Price Breakout

JPMorgan Chase has linked a stronger second half for the crypto market to progress on U.S. digital asset legislation, particularly the CLARITY Act. The bank’s market view centers on the idea that clearer rules could improve participation and lift sentiment after a weaker period.

The outlook aligns with ongoing negotiations among crypto firms, banks, and U.S. policymakers over market structure rules. A key area of debate remains whether crypto platforms can offer rewards tied to stablecoin holdings, with banks focused on the effect such features will have on deposits.

Meanwhile, analyst Captain Faibik noted that Bitcoin price is consolidating within a bullish flag. Price rallied toward $69,000 before entering a controlled downward-sloping channel. 

BTCUSD 1-Day Chart | Source: CoinCodex

The analyst identified the $68,200 zone as the key breakout level for confirmation of continuation. A close above this zone could trigger renewed buying momentum. In the meantime, holding above $65,500 could push BTC price towards the $74,000 target.