Morgan Stanley scoops up almost $200 million of this cryptocurrency

Morgan Stanley’s entry into the spot Bitcoin ETF market through the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust (MSBT) has seen notable inflows of almost $200 million within a month. Data indicates that the product, launched on April 8, has attracted nearly $194 million in net inflows during its first month of trading. Notably, the fund has amassed around $240 million in assets under management, pointing to growing demand for Bitcoin (BTC) exposure through a trusted Wall Street name. The Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust stands out as the first spot Bitcoin ETF offered by a major U.S. bank. It holds physical Bitcoin and tracks the CoinDesk Bitcoin Benchmark Rate. With an expense ratio of just 0.14%, it boasts the lowest fee among competing U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs, a factor that has likely contributed to its rapid uptake. In its debut month, MSBT recorded inflows on 17 trading days, remained flat on five days, and notably experienced zero days of net outflows. This unbroken streak of positive or neutral flows highlights sustained investor interest even amid broader market fluctuations. On its first day alone, the fund pulled in $30.6 million in net inflows, accompanied by approximately $34 million in trading volume, marking Morgan Stanley’s strongest ETF launch to date. Much of Morgan Stanley’s early success came from self-directed clients, as the product was not initially available across its full advisory platform. With trillions in client assets and thousands of advisors, broader distribution could drive further growth. The inflows also suggest clients are actively seeking Bitcoin exposure through the bank’s branded offering rather than third-party products. The strong debut comes as the broader U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF market has attracted more than $3 billion in net inflows over the past six weeks, reinforcing signs of growing institutional adoption of Bitcoin. Industry observers have cited MSBT’s low costs, Morgan Stanley’s brand strength, and rising acceptance of Bitcoin as a portfolio diversifier as key drivers. While still smaller than leaders such as BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust, MSBT’s launch highlights how major banks are increasingly integrating digital assets into traditional investment offerings.