- Arkham identified Morgan Stanley ETF wallets, enabling near real-time tracking of Bitcoin inflows and outflows.
- MSBT launched with competitive fees and growing assets, entering a market led by major asset managers.
- On-chain data reflects ETF activity with T+1 delay, linking traditional finance with blockchain transparency.
Morgan Stanley’s entry into the spot Bitcoin ETF market has taken a new turn after Arkham identified its on-chain wallets. The bank launched the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust on April 8 on NYSE Arca. According to Arkham, users can now track Bitcoin inflows and outflows tied to the fund in near real time.
Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Holdings
Arkham said it identified Morgan Stanley’s blockchain addresses using internal analytics tools. The firm stated its researchers verified the wallets with a high degree of accuracy. As a result, users can monitor ETF-related Bitcoin movements directly on-chain.
According to Arkham, this marks the first public identification of Morgan Stanley’s crypto holdings. It also said its platform remains the only place offering this level of tracking. However, ETF transactions still follow traditional settlement timelines.
Notably, the system operates on a T+1 basis. This means on-chain transfers appear after official ETF flow announcements. Despite that delay, Arkham said the data still reflects underlying fund activity.
MSBT Launch and Early Performance
Morgan Stanley launched its Bitcoin ETF, trading under the ticker MSBT, on April 8. The fund began trading on NYSE Arca and recorded about $34 million in volume on its first day. After five trading days, it reached roughly $87 million in net assets.
The ETF charges a 0.14% fee, which is lower than several competitors. For comparison, BlackRock’s IBIT carries a 0.25% fee. This pricing places Morgan Stanley among lower-cost options in the market.
The bank enters a competitive space dominated by large asset managers. BlackRock currently leads with about $57 billion in assets under management in its Bitcoin ETF.
Structure, Custody and Settlement Details
The Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust tracks Bitcoin’s price through direct asset backing. Each share represents exposure to underlying Bitcoin held by custodians. According to the product listing, Coinbase and BNY Mellon serve as custodians.
When investors buy shares, funds move through authorized participants before converting into Bitcoin. The assets are then stored securely by custodians. This structure links traditional finance systems with blockchain settlement processes.
