Morgan Stanley Opens $8.2 Trillion Client Portfolio to Crypto on Oct 15

- Retirement plans now eligible; advisors to offer BlackRock crypto funds. - Previous asset and risk profile requirements removed for all clients. Starting October 15, 2025, Morgan Stanley will provide cryptocurrency investment options to all its wealth management clients, including retirement accounts. According to a report by CNBC on October 10, 2025, the $8.2 trillion firm is removing previous limitations that required clients to hold at least $1.5 million in assets and maintain an "aggressive" risk profile. This move enables Morgan Stanley's financial advisors to recommend crypto funds from established issuers like BlackRock and Fidelity. In addition, in a note on October 1, 2025, Morgan Stanley’s Global Investment Committee suggested that clients with elevated risk tolerance could allocate up to 4% to cryptocurrencies. The recommended crypto exposure focuses primarily on Bitcoin and Ether funds. The decision, which aligns with broader institutional adoption trends, reportedly follows a recent executive order from President Donald Trump. The order encourages federal agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Department of Labor, to facilitate the inclusion of alternative assets like cryptocurrencies in 401(k) plans. To manage the risks associated with this volatile asset class, Morgan Stanley will implement automated systems to monitor client portfolios and prevent excessive concentrations. This systematic approach ensures the firm upholds diversification principles while granting clients expanded access to digital assets. According to the latest market data as of October 10, 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) was trading at $120,411.73 at 15:08 UTC, with its 24-hour trading volume down 0.9%. Meanwhile, at 15:09 UTC, Ethereum (ETH) was trading at $4,268.54, with its 24-hour trading volume having declined by 2%.