Morgan Stanley Seeks OCC Bank Charter to Expand Crypto Custody Services

Morgan Stanley has applied for a de novo national trust bank charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, marking a significant step in the bank’s expanding digital asset strategy. The application, filed under the name “Morgan Stanley Digital Trust, National Association,” was received by the regulator on Feb. 18.

A national trust bank charter would allow the firm to provide fiduciary services, including custody and safekeeping of digital assets. According to publicly available regulatory documents, the proposed subsidiary plans to hold select cryptocurrencies on behalf of clients and facilitate transactions such as purchases, sales, swaps and transfers. Crypto staking services are also expected to be part of the offering.

Rising Demand for Crypto Banking Licenses

The move places Morgan Stanley among a growing list of financial institutions pursuing federal trust charters tailored to digital assets. In recent months, the OCC has conditionally approved several crypto-focused trust bank applications, reflecting increased institutional interest in regulated custody frameworks.

The bank’s charter application follows additional crypto initiatives, including filings to launch exchange traded funds tied to Bitcoin, Ether and Solana. Leadership appointments and new digital asset job postings further signal that the Wall Street institution is positioning itself for deeper participation in the regulated crypto market.

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.