Morgan Stanley Plans Shake Up Bitcoin ETF Market as MSBT Launch Hits $34M Volume

09. Apr 2026 Posted by Bailey S. on News

Morgan Stanley has entered the competitive spot Bitcoin ETF arena with immediate impact, as its newly launched MSBT fund recorded approximately $34 million in trading volume on its first day.

Data from Yahoo Finance shows the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust saw over 1.65 million shares change hands, ending the session at $20.47 per share. The opening-day performance surpassed expectations, signaling notable investor interest despite the firm being a relatively late entrant into the space.

A key driver behind the strong debut appears to be pricing. MSBT carries a sponsor fee of just 0.14%, undercutting major rivals and setting a new low among spot Bitcoin exchange-traded products. By comparison, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust charges 0.25%, while Grayscale’s competing product had previously been among the cheapest at 0.15%.

Morgan Stanley’s expansive reach could further accelerate adoption. The firm’s network of roughly 16,000 financial advisors collectively oversees about $9.3 trillion in client assets, providing a powerful distribution channel for the new ETF.

The launch also aligned with renewed strength in the crypto market. Bitcoin surged more than 7.5% during the same period, climbing from around $67,700 to a peak near $72,800 before stabilizing above $71,000. The rally followed easing geopolitical tensions after a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, alongside reports of crypto usage in oil transit payments.

At the same time, the broader Bitcoin ETF market is showing signs of recovery. U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin funds recorded roughly $471 million in net inflows earlier in the week, marking the strongest single-day performance in over a month. Leading products from BlackRock and Fidelity Investments drove much of that momentum.

Despite the recent uptick, the sector is still rebounding from sustained outflows. Nearly $5 billion has exited Bitcoin ETFs since November, with only partial recovery through inflows seen in March and early April.

Morgan Stanley’s aggressive pricing strategy and distribution strength may now test whether fee competition—and not just brand dominance—becomes the deciding factor in the next phase of the Bitcoin ETF market.