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Morgan Stanley Files Ethereum ETF Application with U.S. SEC

Morgan Stanley Files Ethereum ETF Application with U.S. SEC

Morgan Stanley’s Ethereum Trust filing follows recent Bitcoin and Solana ETF applications, highlighting traditional finance’s deepening integration into regulated crypto investment products.

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Fact Check
The assessment is primarily based on a single, definitive primary source: an S-1 registration statement filed directly with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This document is explicitly for the 'MORGAN STANLEY ETHEREUM ETF' and serves as direct, high-authority evidence that confirms the statement is true.Several other sources present circumstantial or contradictory evidence, but it is significantly weaker. Sources confirming that Morgan Stanley also filed for Bitcoin and Solana ETFs do not invalidate the existence of an Ethereum ETF filing; a financial institution can apply for multiple products. Similarly, news reports and social media posts from reputable outlets like Reuters and CoinDesk that only mention the Bitcoin and Solana filings represent an 'argument from silence.' Their omission of an Ethereum filing does not prove one wasn't made, especially when contrasted with the direct SEC filing evidence.Finally, a document mentioning Morgan Stanley's involvement as an authorized participant in a Grayscale Ethereum product is tangential and does not contradict the claim that Morgan Stanley filed its own, separate ETF application. Therefore, the direct evidence from the SEC filing is overwhelmingly persuasive, making the statement highly likely to be true.
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Summary

Morgan Stanley has submitted a registration statement to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for an Ethereum Trust, days after filing for spot Bitcoin and Solana ETFs. The bank began offering crypto access to clients through its wealth management arm in October, reflecting rising institutional interest in digital assets. This move comes amid rapid growth in U.S. crypto ETFs over the past two years, as traditional financial institutions increasingly adopt regulated vehicles for digital asset exposure.

Terms & Concepts
  • Ethereum Trust: A regulated investment vehicle designed to hold Ethereum, offering investors exposure without directly owning the cryptocurrency.
  • Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF): A market-traded investment fund that can track various assets, including cryptocurrencies, and is regulated within traditional financial markets.