BlackRock's IBIT logs its strongest single-day inflow since March while Morgan Stanley becomes the first bank-affiliated asset manager to launch a spot Bitcoin ETP.
Institutional demand for Bitcoin exposure is accelerating, with BlackRock's IBIT recording $291.85 million in single-day net inflows and Morgan Stanley launching a competing product that pulled in nearly $15 million on day two.
BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) logged $291.85 million in net inflows on its latest trading day, the fund's strongest single-day performance since early March 2026. The inflow pushed IBIT's year-to-date total past $1.5 billion and brought BlackRock's reported Bitcoin holdings above 794,000 BTC.
Separately, Morgan Stanley Investment Management launched the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust (MSBT), an exchange-traded product designed to track Bitcoin's price. MSBT attracted $14.9 million on its second trading day, making Morgan Stanley the first U.S. bank-affiliated asset manager to offer a spot Bitcoin ETP. The debut coincides with broader spot Bitcoin ETF flows turning positive again after a mixed period across the sector.
The entry of a major Wall Street bank into the spot Bitcoin ETP market signals a new phase for institutional crypto adoption. While BlackRock and Fidelity have dominated ETF flows since January 2024, Morgan Stanley's move adds credibility from the traditional banking sector and opens Bitcoin access to the firm's extensive wealth management network.
Bitcoin is trading near $75,000 with resistance at $76,000, and sustained institutional inflows could provide the buying pressure needed to break through that level. Total crypto market capitalization recently recovered above $2.61 trillion.
MSBT's performance over the coming weeks will indicate whether bank-branded Bitcoin products can compete with established ETF issuers. Analysts are also watching whether other major banks, including Goldman Sachs, follow Morgan Stanley's lead. The broader Bitcoin ETF landscape remains competitive, with some funds like Grayscale's GBTC still experiencing outflows even as IBIT attracts record capital.
The Bitcoin ETF market is entering a new competitive phase as traditional banks join pure-play asset managers. BlackRock's continued dominance and Morgan Stanley's strong debut suggest institutional appetite for regulated Bitcoin exposure remains robust despite sideways price action.
Wall Street giant Citigroup projects Bitcoin could reach $143,000 within 12 months, citing ETF demand and regulatory tailwinds as key catalysts.
Michael Saylor's Strategy reported a $14.46 billion unrealized loss on its bitcoin holdings in Q1 2026, then purchased another $330 million in BTC days later.
The largest US bank is assessing spot and derivatives trading services as regulatory clarity enables traditional finance to deepen crypto involvement.
Disclaimer: News content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Market conditions can change rapidly. Always conduct your own research.
