Morgan Stanley has submitted an application for a new U.S. national bank charter that would enable the Wall Street firm to offer crypto custody and staking services, pending regulatory approval. The move comes days after the company appointed Amy Oldenburg as head of digital asset strategy, signaling a broader push into digital assets.
Bank Charter Targets Crypto Custody and Staking
The proposed charter would allow Morgan Stanley to provide institutional-grade custody for digital assets, including secure storage, settlement, and safekeeping services. The firm also aims to support staking, a process used by proof-of-stake blockchains in which token holders can participate in network validation and potentially earn rewards.
Any rollout of these services remains subject to regulatory review. Staking services, in particular, have drawn heightened scrutiny in the United States, and banks seeking to offer them are expected to implement robust compliance, risk management, and disclosures.
Leadership Signals Digital Asset Strategy
Morgan Stanley’s recent appointment of Amy Oldenburg as head of digital asset strategy underscores the firm’s commitment to expanding its capabilities in the sector. Oldenburg has confirmed the company’s digital asset push, aligning leadership resources with institutional demand for secure and compliant access to crypto markets.
Regulatory Path and Industry Context
National bank charters in the United States are subject to a rigorous approval process that evaluates a prospective bank’s business plan, capitalization, governance, and risk controls. If approved, the charter would place Morgan Stanley’s digital asset operations under federal oversight, positioning the firm to scale services nationally.
Traditional financial institutions continue to explore digital asset infrastructure to meet client interest, with custody emerging as a foundational service. Morgan Stanley’s application highlights ongoing efforts by established firms to integrate crypto-related offerings within a regulated framework.