Morgan Stanley has taken a significant step deeper into digital assets by appointing Amy Oldenburg as its new head of digital asset strategy, signaling a more serious commitment to crypto after years of caution.
Oldenburg, a long-serving executive at the bank, will transition from Morgan Stanley’s emerging markets equity team, where she has worked since 2001. She has led that division since November 2021, with a mandate that increasingly included shaping its digital asset approach.
Her appointment comes just weeks after Morgan Stanley filed for three crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and revealed plans for a crypto wallet, marking a notable shift for a bank that largely avoided the first wave of institutional crypto adoption in 2024–2025.
Crypto ETF Filings and Product Plans
In early 2025, Morgan Stanley filed applications for spot Bitcoin and Solana ETFs, followed by a proposal for a staked Ether ETF designed to earn staking income.
If approved, these products could unlock new inflows from the bank’s roughly 19 million wealth management clients.
The bank is also exploring a crypto wallet supporting digital assets and tokenized real-world assets, including stocks, bonds, and real estate.
Focus on Self-Custody and Infrastructure
Oldenburg has consistently emphasized self-custody principles, often referencing the idea that control of private keys is essential. She has previously criticized early ETFs for lacking staking features and limiting on-chain utility.
Morgan Stanley’s leadership hire and product filings suggest a broader strategic pivot, positioning the bank to compete as traditional finance and crypto continue to converge.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.