Morgan Stanley files final paperwork for Solana, Ethereum staking ETFs

Morgan Stanley is making headway in the crypto investment landscape. The financial giant has filed the final paperwork with the SEC for its Solana (MSOL) and Ethereum (MSSE) staking ETFs. This filing represents a pivotal step toward listing these products on the NYSE Arca, and it’s a sign Morgan Stanley is serious about capturing a slice of the burgeoning crypto market.

The details

The road to these filings began in January 2026 when Morgan Stanley submitted initial registration statements for its spot Ethereum and Solana ETFs. Spot products, for the uninitiated, hold the actual underlying assets—in this case, Solana and Ethereum. This means investors can expect the ETFs to mimic the performance of these tokens more closely than many existing derivative-based products.

In June 2026, the firm made significant amendments to the ETFs. They introduced a competitive 0.14% annual unitary sponsor fee, the lowest in its category, making these ETFs highly attractive to fee-sensitive investors. What’s more, 95% of the staking rewards are pledged to be passed directly to shareholders. For those less familiar, staking rewards are earnings on locked cryptocurrencies that validate transactions on their respective blockchains.

Then came the July 2026 filings. These solidified the operational groundwork by appointing Coinbase Prime and BNY Mellon as custodians, ensuring the safekeeping of assets. The paperwork reviewed throughout July shows Morgan Stanley poised to introduce these innovative staking ETFs to a broader market, aligning with final registration steps required for exchange trading.

Background

We aren’t new to Morgan Stanley’s digital asset endeavors. The financial titan first delved into crypto with Bitcoin ETF offerings prior to this move. Expanding its repertoire to include Ethereum and Solana showcases not just growing confidence in crypto investments but also a strategic embrace of on-chain yield mechanisms.

The company has navigated multiple regulatory amendments over 2026, underscoring its dedication to meeting compliance and leveraging its stature to bring legitimacy to these digital assets. In a world where institutional investors often shy away from crypto due to regulatory uncertainties and volatility, Morgan Stanley seems to be pushing the envelope.

What this means for investors

Morgan Stanley’s spot ETFs for Solana and Ethereum could mark a significant shift in the crypto market dynamics. They do more than just offer exposure to crypto price movements; they integrate on-chain rewards through staking. For institutional investors, this could serve as the gateway product that balances exposure with yield potential—delivering both capital appreciation and income.

Additionally, the low 0.14% fee could set new industry benchmarks, pressuring other firms to reassess their pricing models. Investors might see a domino effect here, with other financial giants adopting similar structures to keep up.

The possibility of adding staking yield to ETFs provides an attractive value proposition, especially for income-focused investors seeking yield in a low-interest-rate environment. These products, if successfully listed, could elevate the market capitalization of Solana and Ethereum by drawing in fresh capital, ultimately fostering a richer and more diverse digital asset ecosystem.