‍Morgan Stanley seeks OCC charter for digital asset custody

Morgan Stanley has officially applied for a de novo national trust bank charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The move, initiated on February 18, 2026, aims to establish "Morgan Stanley Digital Trust, National Association" to provide regulated custody services for digital assets.

The new subsidiary will offer secure custody, asset safekeeping, execution of transactions, and crypto staking services for institutional and private clients. This application aligns with a broader trend of financial institutions seeking regulatory approval for digital asset operations, with firms like Ripple, BitGo, and Fidelity Digital Assets also pursuing similar charters.

https://cryptovka.com/news/morgan-stanley-files-for-occ-charter-to-custody-digital-assets