The post Morgan Stanley’s Bitcoin ETP Draws $100M in Days, Fuels Bitcoin Rally appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Morgan Stanley has launched a Bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP), drawing more than $100 million in inflows within six days, according to reports.

The product, MSBT, attracted demand before being made available through the firm’s financial advisors, indicating early activity was largely driven by self-directed investors.

Bitcoin ETP demand driven by self-directed investors and institutional interest

The initial inflows suggest investors are allocating to Bitcoin exposure independently, without waiting for advisory guidance.

Amy Oldenburg said, “All of that was self-directed; it was not even available in advisory on the wealth platform,” highlighting that early demand came before advisor distribution.

Bitcoin allocation strategy and advisor adoption gap in wealth management

Morgan Stanley recommends a 2% to 4% Bitcoin allocation for eligible portfolios. However, advisor adoption remains limited compared to client demand.

Oldenburg said this reflects an education gap rather than a lack of interest. Around 80% of ETP exposure on the platform is currently self-directed. The firm is expanding internal training to support advisors.

Morgan Stanley expects Bitcoin to eventually be included on bank balance sheets, though regulatory constraints remain.

Oldenburg said, “The regulatory environment has been more supportive,” but noted that Federal Reserve policies, Basel capital rules, and global compliance requirements still limit broader integration.

Crypto custody, OCC charter plans, and Coinbase BNY Mellon partnership

The firm is pursuing a digital trust charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to enable crypto custody and spot trading.

The MSBT product currently uses Coinbase and BNY Mellon as custodians.

Bitcoin ETF competition: MSBT vs BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT)

MSBT enters a market led by BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which holds more than $61 billion in assets.

Morgan Stanley’s product carries a fee of 0.14%, compared with 0.25% for IBIT. However, IBIT continues to lead in trading volume and market liquidity.

Morgan Stanley’s network of about 16,000 advisors may support future inflows once the product is fully integrated into advisory channels.

The post Exclusive: India’s Crypto Future Hinges on Clarity, Not Just Taxes — CoinSwitch Co-founder Speaks appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

India’s crypto story is moving forward, but not without friction. In an exclusive conversation with Coinpedia, Ashish Singhal, Co-founder CoinSwitch, breaks down where things stand, from CBDCs and UPI dominance to Budget 2026, taxation, and why startups are quietly looking offshore.

UPI Dominates, But CBDC Plays a Different Game

Singhal makes it clear that India isn’t lacking payment solutions. Unified Payments Interface has already made transactions effortless, whether it’s paying vendors or splitting bills.

But CBDC isn’t competing with UPI. It’s something deeper.

He explains that a CBDC is essentially digital cash issued by the central bank, like a ₹100 note, but on your phone. Its real strength lies in targeted use cases. Government subsidies can be programmed for specific spending, and emergency funds can reach citizens instantly without intermediaries.

In his words, UPI is the “road,” while CBDC becomes a new “vehicle” running on it. For users, the experience may not change, but the backend becomes far more powerful.

Budget 2026: Clarity Without Relief

India Budget 2026 kept crypto taxes unchanged, continuing with one of the toughest regimes globally.

Singhal doesn’t see this as an attempt to kill retail participation, but rather to control it. The framework has brought clarity and improved traceability, even if high taxes and 1% TDS have pushed some activity offshore.

He suggests the government is prioritizing responsible investing and compliance first. But going forward, a more balanced tax structure, aligned with other asset classes, could unlock real growth while keeping innovation within India.

Startups Are Watching… and Moving

Moreover, regulatory ambiguity remains a bigger concern than taxes.

Singhal points out that many Web3 founders are drifting toward hubs like Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong, where clearer rules make it easier to access banking, capital, and partnerships.

India still has a strong advantage, its massive developer base and user market. But without clear and proportionate regulation, that edge could slowly erode.

Bitcoin ETFs and What Comes Next

On the question of Bitcoin ETFs, Singhal takes a grounded view.

He says India is still figuring out the basics, how crypto assets are classified, who regulates them, and how investors are protected. Products like ETFs will only come after that foundation is set.

Still, global momentum, especially after U.S. ETF approvals, is hard to ignore. Institutional demand in India is already building, particularly among investors seeking exposure without directly holding crypto.

Why Regulation Is Slower Than Adoption

Singhal ends with a reality check.

Crypto isn’t just another sector; it touches capital controls, taxation, AML, and financial stability. That means multiple regulators are involved, which naturally slows things down.

India, he says, is taking a “risk-first” approach, building guardrails through taxation and compliance while watching how global frameworks evolve.

Adoption, meanwhile, doesn’t wait. It’s market-driven, fast, and already ahead of policy.

And that gap, between speed and structure, is where India’s crypto future will ultimately be decided.