Morgan Stanley identified challenges for banks in establishing Bitcoin reserves., 2026/05/04 13:15:26

The establishment of Bitcoin reserves by American banks is hindered by the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) requirements regarding risks and capital, as well as the need for international regulatory alignment, stated Amy Oldenburg, a representative of the banking firm Morgan Stanley.

According to the representative of one of the largest U.S. banks, in the long run, bankers will eventually be able to build Bitcoin reserves. Morgan Stanley has been engaged with digital assets for several years, and the regulatory environment is becoming increasingly favorable for the growth of the crypto market.

The bank is observing a consistent increase in client interest towards crypto assets. However, a gap persists in the market between the advice given by financial advisors and the actual actions of investors, noted Amy Oldenburg. 

Although Morgan Stanley advises investors to allocate 2–4% of their portfolios to Bitcoin, the implementation of this strategy is hampered by the insufficient level of training among advisors. According to Oldenburg, approximately 80% of investments in crypto products by Morgan Stanley clients are made independently, without the bank’s involvement. This, she indicated, reflects a rising demand that outpaces the development of infrastructure and expertise among the bankers themselves.

The market is already showing readiness for broader adoption of crypto assets; however, the further integration of Bitcoin into the banking system will depend on the easing of regulatory conditions and the adaptation of financial institutions to new requirements, believes the Morgan Stanley representative.

Previously, Arthur Hayes, the founder of the BitMEX exchange and investment director of the Maelstrom fund, identified the lack of liquidity in the crypto industry as the primary obstacle to Bitcoin’s growth.