MORGAN STANLEY UNDERCUTS RIVALS WITH E*TRADE CRYPTO PILOT

Morgan Stanley is testing crypto trading on E*Trade ahead of a full platform expansion next year. The pilot undercuts major competitors on pricing, a key differentiator as traditional brokerages move deeper into digital assets. The move positions Morgan Stanley alongside other legacy financial institutions entering the crypto market. Robinhood, Charles Schwab, and Coinbase have already offered crypto services, but Morgan Stanley's fee structure aims to capture price-sensitive traders. E*Trade users can now access cryptocurrency trading during the pilot phase. Morgan Stanley has not disclosed specific fee rates, but the company emphasized cost advantages over existing players. The 2026 expansion signals broader institutional adoption of crypto trading. Major brokerages see digital assets as essential product offerings as retail and institutional demand grows. Morgan Stanley's move reflects a shift in traditional finance toward mainstream cryptocurrency integration rather than outright skepticism.