Morgan Stanley has introduced crypto trading on ETRADE, allowing eligible U.S. customers to buy, sell, and hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana within their existing brokerage accounts. This step puts cryptocurrencies on the same platform as stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds, eliminating the need for separate exchange accounts or additional logins.
ETRADE users can trade these three major cryptocurrencies directly through a crypto account linked to their brokerage profile. Funds transfer smoothly between accounts to facilitate trades, creating a unified view of both traditional and digital assets in one place. This integration reduces barriers for investors hesitant about managing separate wallets and accounts.
Trading operates around the clock on web and mobile interfaces, with support for both market and limit orders. Clients specify trade sizes in U.S. dollars or coins, with granularity down to eight decimals. The service accommodates casual investors with a minimum trade size of $10 while offering high rollers flexibility with a $500,000 maximum transaction limit.
ETRADE charges a straightforward 0.50% commission on trade value, without any hidden spreads or markups. This pricing strategy contrasts with many standalone crypto exchanges that add variable fees, positioning ETRADE as a transparent and cost-effective option for crypto trading. The underlying execution, liquidity, and custody services are supported by Zerohash, ensuring operational reliability.
However, crypto holdings on this platform are not insured by the FDIC or SIPC, and tax reporting is handled via IRS Form 1099-DA. Power E*TRADE platform integration is expected later to broaden access.
This move by Morgan Stanley brings digital assets closer to mainstream investors accustomed to traditional market infrastructure, potentially smoothing the path for wider crypto adoption.
Bitcoin and major altcoins showed little immediate price reaction following the announcement.
