Morgan Stanley has appointed veteran executive Amy Oldenburg to lead its newly established crypto unit as the bank accelerates its push into digital assets.
The move comes only weeks after the investment bank revealed plans to launch three crypto exchange-traded funds and introduce a crypto wallet for its clients.
This marks one of the firm’s most decisive steps into the crypto space after years of cautious engagement.
Oldenburg will transition into the role of head of digital asset strategy after more than two decades with Morgan Stanley’s emerging markets equity team.
She has been with the bank since 2001 and has played a central role in shaping its approach to developing markets and new financial products.
Her appointment signals that Morgan Stanley is taking a long-term and structured approach to building its digital asset operations.
A Leadership Shift with Strategic Intent
Oldenburg has led the emerging markets team since November 2021, where she was responsible for driving the division’s digital asset strategy.
Her experience in navigating volatile markets and complex financial products is expected to be instrumental as Morgan Stanley deepens its crypto exposure.
The transition highlights how digital assets are no longer seen as a side project but as a core part of the bank’s future strategy.
By placing a seasoned executive at the helm, Morgan Stanley is aiming to blend traditional financial discipline with emerging technology innovation.
This approach could help reassure clients who remain cautious about crypto while still capturing new growth opportunities.
It also reflects growing competition among major financial institutions to position themselves as leaders in digital finance.
Expanding the Crypto Workforce
Job postings indicate that Morgan Stanley is actively growing its digital asset team.
The bank is recruiting for roles such as digital assets strategy director, digital assets strategist, and digital assets product lead.
These positions suggest that the firm is building a comprehensive structure covering research, product development, and client strategy.
Such hiring activity shows that the crypto unit is being designed as a permanent fixture rather than a temporary experiment.
It also signals confidence that client demand for digital assets will continue to rise.
The expansion supports the idea that Morgan Stanley is preparing for a broader adoption of crypto-related services across its business.
New Crypto ETFs and Market Impact
Morgan Stanley recently filed to launch spot Bitcoin and Solana exchange-traded funds.
These filings represent the firm’s first major entry into crypto ETFs after largely staying on the sidelines during the earlier wave of institutional adoption.
Later, the bank also filed for a staked Ether ETF that would hold ETH while staking an undisclosed portion to earn additional income.
If approved, these products could open the door to significant new inflows into BTC, ETH, and SOL.
Morgan Stanley serves around 19 million clients through its wealth management division, giving it enormous distribution potential.
This reach could make its crypto offerings highly influential in shaping market demand.
Building a Crypto Wallet and Tokenized Assets
Beyond ETFs, Morgan Stanley is planning to launch a crypto wallet that supports both cryptocurrencies and tokenized real-world assets.
These assets may include stocks, bonds, and real estate represented in digital form on blockchains.
Such a platform would position the bank at the center of the growing trend toward asset tokenization.
It would also give clients more flexibility in managing and transferring both traditional and digital investments.
The move reflects a broader shift toward integrating blockchain technology into mainstream finance.
Oldenburg’s Stance on Self-Custody
Oldenburg has consistently emphasized the importance of crypto self-custody.
She has spoken publicly about the principle of “Not your keys, not your coins” and the need for stronger infrastructure that allows individuals to control their own assets.
“I want my liquidity 24/7, and also we have clients that want to move assets that they have and potentially bank them with us and be able to leverage all of the features that the digital assets space allows you,” Oldenburg said at the Digital Assets Summit 2025.
She previously expressed skepticism toward ETFs because they did not support staking and direct asset utility.
However, regulatory attitudes have since shifted toward greater openness to more advanced crypto products.
This change may align better with her vision of a more functional and user-controlled digital financial system.
