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Morgan Stanley Files Updated SEC Amendment for Spot Bitcoin ETF Launch

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Nexo Partners with Bakkt for US Crypto Exchange and Yield Programs

TLDR

  • On March 4, Morgan Stanley submitted Amendment No. 1 to its S-1 registration form with the SEC for a spot Bitcoin ETF
  • Named the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust, the product is slated to trade on NYSE Arca following regulatory clearance
  • Bitcoin holdings will be secured through Coinbase Custody’s offline cold storage infrastructure, while BNY Mellon manages cash assets
  • Bitcoin pricing will be determined using the CoinDesk Bitcoin Benchmark 4PM NY Settlement Rate
  • Authorized participants can create and redeem shares using either cash or Bitcoin

Wall Street veteran Morgan Stanley has advanced its efforts to introduce a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund. The financial institution submitted an amended registration filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4.

The proposed product, termed the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust, aims to mirror Bitcoin’s market price without pursuing additional returns.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, operating as a division of the parent company, serves as the delegated sponsor and will oversee the trust’s operational management.

The initial filing was submitted to the SEC in January 2026, concurrent with a separate application for a Solana-focused ETF. This March revision provides enhanced structural information regarding the Bitcoin-based investment vehicle.

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The filing specifies that the trust will operate without leverage, derivatives, or comparable instruments. Its sole function will be holding Bitcoin and establishing daily share valuations through a designated pricing index.

Custody and Storage

Asset protection responsibilities fall to two separate entities. Coinbase Custody Trust Company will maintain Bitcoin reserves in offline cold storage facilities, ensuring private keys remain isolated from internet connectivity to mitigate hacking risks.

The Bank of New York Mellon assumes the role of cash custodian and administrative overseer. While FDIC insurance doesn’t cover either custodian, private insurance coverage exists, though it’s distributed among multiple clients.

Bitcoin valuation for the trust relies on the CoinDesk Bitcoin Benchmark 4PM NY Settlement Rate. This index aggregates transaction data from prominent Bitcoin spot trading platforms.

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How Shares Will Work

Share creation and redemption processes involve authorized participants—financial entities that facilitate ETF market liquidity.

These participants may contribute cash or Bitcoin to receive share baskets. The redemption mechanism operates inversely. Coinbase Inc. functions as the prime execution agent handling Bitcoin transactions related to these activities.

Trading is anticipated to commence on NYSE Arca following SEC review completion and registration statement effectiveness.

Morgan Stanley joins an expanding roster of established financial institutions pursuing regulated Bitcoin investment vehicles.

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No specific launch timeline appears in the bank’s filing. The trust awaits formal SEC registration approval before proceeding.

Coinbase maintains two distinct functions within the fund structure—custody services via Coinbase Custody Trust Company and trade execution through Coinbase Inc.

The amendment emphasizes the trust’s passive investment approach, explicitly avoiding market timing strategies or short-term Bitcoin price speculation.

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Crypto World

Bitcoin Traders Bet On Sub-$66K BTC In April Due To Rising Fear

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Bitcoin Traders Bet On Sub-$66K BTC In April Due To Rising Fear

Key takeaways:

  • Bearish sentiment is rising as Bitcoin options professional traders lose confidence that the $66,000 level will hold for long.

  • The exit of David Sacks as the Crypto and AI czar and a lack of a clear US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve plan added to investors’ doubts.

Bitcoin (BTC) fell to $65,530 on Friday, an 8% decline from the $71,300 level seen on Thursday. This move wiped out over $210 million in leveraged bullish Bitcoin futures and left most call (buy) options worthless during the $18.6 billion monthly expiry. Traders now anticipate a 53% chance that Bitcoin will stay below $66,000 by April 24.

April 24 Bitcoin option prices at Deribit. Source: Deribit

On Friday, the April 24 Bitcoin $66,000 put (sell) options traded at 0.0566 BTC or roughly $3,730. With a 53% implied probability of Bitcoin trading below $66,000 by late April, the mood remains decidedly bearish following the increased uncertainty in the US and Israel-Iran war, pushing traders into a risk-averse mode.

US inflation threats and stalling crypto, Bitcoin legislation

Rising oil prices and a potential $200 billion in extra US military spending led investors to demand higher returns on government bonds and dragged the S&P 500 to its lowest levels since September 2025. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil surged to $100 on Friday, while 5-year Treasury yields reached 4.07%, up from 3.72% three weeks prior.

US 5-year Treasury yield (left) vs. S&P 500 (right). Source: TradingView

Inflationary fear and weaker corporate earnings perspectives alone cannot explain Bitcoin’s 20% underperformance against the S&P 500 in 2026. Other factors are likely at play, including investors’ discomfort over the lack of progress on the US Bitcoin Strategic Reserve.

David Sacks has stepped down from his role as the Trump administration’s crypto and AI czar. While Sacks remains an advisor on the President’s Council on Science & Technology, his departure follows earlier comments that inflated Bitcoin investors’ expectations. Sacks had previously hinted that the US could acquire more Bitcoin through budget-neutral methods without raising taxes.

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Related: US lawmakers publish crypto tax proposal without Bitcoin tax exemption

Bitcoin 30-day options delta skew (put-call) at Deribit. Source: Laevitas

The Bitcoin options delta skew jumped to 15% on Friday, showing that put options are trading at a significant premium relative to call instruments. In balanced market conditions, this metric usually ranges between -6% and +6%. The current level indicates a lack of conviction among whales that the $66,000 level will hold. Fear has largely dominated the Bitcoin options market since mid-January.

Bitcoin options expiry favored neutral-to-bearish strategies

Friday’s monthly options expiry at $68,610 proved unfavorable for neutral-to-bullish strategies, as 97% of call options became void. Bears gained the upper hand as put options at $69,000 or higher surpassed $2 billion in open interest. Critically, part of Friday’s downward move reflects a growing unwillingness among traders to maintain Bitcoin exposure over the weekend.

Crypto markets cut risk on Friday due to uncertainty. Source: X/WhalePanda

X social platform user WhalePanda, suggested that the crash in risk markets anticipates President Trump making “another dumb escalating move” after US markets close. Consequently, the current fear seen in the options market could reverse if no major geopolitical events occur before Monday.

During bearish cycles, traders often rush for the exits at the mere sight of any event that could be deemed negative. Investors should not take Bitcoin’s implied odds at face value, as these metrics are heavily impacted by recent news and headlines. However, expectations could shift more favorably if Iran effectively releases a counter-offer to the US peace proposal.