Morgan Stanley opens crypto funds to all clients

Morgan Stanley's wealth management division will initially cap crypto allocations and begin with Bitcoin funds from BlackRock and Fidelity, potentially adding choices later.

Morgan Stanley, one of the world’s largest wealth managers, has reportedly informed its financial advisers that all clients will be able to invest in cryptocurrency funds starting Oct. 15, CNBC reported.

Advisers will be able to offer crypto funds to clients with individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and 401(k)s, a significant shift from the previous policy that restricted access to high-net-worth investors with over $1.5 million in assets and an aggressive risk profile.

The move could unlock millions of dollars currently tied up in other assets, paving the way for a portion of that capital to flow into cryptocurrencies. As of June 30, US retirement assets totaled about $45.8 trillion, with IRAs holding about $18 trillion and 401(k) plans about $9.3 trillion, according to the Investment Company Institute’s latest quarterly update. 

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