Morgan Stanley boosts BlackRock Bitcoin ETF holdings in Q2

Published: 2026-08-14 14:53:33 |

Morgan Stanley’s Bitcoin ETF holdings increased in Q2, led by larger positions in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and other Bitcoin funds. In its Q2 13F filing, IBIT holdings rose 23% to about 16.5 million shares (from 13.4 million). Morgan Stanley also reported 2.57 million shares of its own Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust (MSBT), which began trading in April. Despite the share increase, the reported value of the IBIT position fell about 18% to around $549 million, as Bitcoin declined during the quarter. The filing also showed gains in several smaller Bitcoin ETF exposures, including Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC) and Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB), while Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) rose nearly 38%. Overall, Morgan Stanley’s Bitcoin ETF holdings were broadened even as some crypto-linked equity positions declined. On Ethereum, Morgan Stanley increased its iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) by about 202% to 4.6 million shares and added to Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini (ETH) to 5.1 million shares. It also initiated or added Solana-linked exposure via Grayscale Solana Staking (GSOL) and Fidelity Solana Fund (FSOL). Notably, Circle Internet Group (USDC issuer) saw a jump in reported holdings, and the firm added exposure to Bitcoin miners and infrastructure companies such as Cipher (CIFR), Core Scientific (CORZ), Hut 8 (HUT) and Bitdeer (BTDR). However, it trimmed or exited some positions including Coinbase (COIN), CleanSpark (CLSK), and Bitfarms (BITF).

Neutral

Morgan Stanley’s reported Bitcoin ETF holdings expanded in Q2, which is typically a constructive signal for market sentiment. Key positives include a 23% rise in IBIT shares, a new/additional position in MSBT, and higher ETHA/ETH staking-mini exposure. It also added USDC-linked holdings and increased exposure to several Bitcoin miners and infrastructure names. However, the reported value of the main IBIT position fell about 18% because Bitcoin dropped during the quarter. In addition, the filing shows trims/exits in certain crypto-related equities (e.g., Coinbase, CleanSpark, Bitfarms). That mix—share increases but lower marked value, plus selective equity de-risking—reduces the immediate bullish strength. Historically, similar 13F-driven “institutional buy” headlines can support flows, but the spot-price direction still depends on prevailing BTC momentum and macro/market risk appetite; positional value often moves with the underlying asset. So the likely impact is neutral: supportive for the ETF-trader narrative, but not a clear short-term upside catalyst unless Bitcoin stabilizes and the ETF positions translate into sustained net inflows rather than valuation-driven fluctuations.