Morgan Stanley Explores Full-Stack Digital Asset Services, Including Bitcoin Lending

Morgan Stanley, a Wall Street bank managing nearly $9 trillion in assets, plans to offer clients Bitcoin (BTC) custody, trading, lending, and yield-generation services.

The firm is one of the largest financial institutions in the United States. In addition, the client base spans retail investors, high-net-worth individuals, and institutional players.

Why it matters:

• Morgan Stanley’s entry into BTC services would give clients direct access to Bitcoin through a regulated, trusted institution.
• Furthermore, adding yield and lending products expands BTC’s utility beyond simple custody, attracting clients seeking returns on digital asset holdings.
• Wall Street adoption at this scale signals Bitcoin’s shift from speculation to structural integration in global finance.

The details:

• Amy Oldenburg, Morgan Stanley’s Head of Digital Asset Strategy, confirmed that the bank plans to build a native custody and exchange solution.
• Speaking with Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) CEO Phong Le, she added that Bitcoin-based yield and lending services are part of the bank’s ongoing discussion and exploration. 
• The bank had previously hired for crypto-focused roles tied to Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and tokenization infrastructure. This signaled an expansion of its digital assets strategy.
• In January 2026, the bank filed for spot Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with the SEC.

The big picture: