[Digital Today reporter Chi-gyu Hwang (황치규)] Morgan Stanley's online investment platform E*Trade has started spot cryptocurrency trading in bitcoin, ether and solana for eligible retail clients.

Cointelegraph reported on July 16 that E*Trade is providing the service through a partnership with crypto infrastructure company Zero Hash.

Eligible customers can buy, sell and hold cryptocurrencies on E*Trade. They can view crypto holdings on the same platform alongside traditional investment assets such as stocks. A feature to move digital assets into and out of the platform is set to be added by the end of this year.

Custody and trade processing are carried out through separate Zero Hash accounts that are not covered by FDIC and SIPC protections. Morgan Stanley plans to move its digital asset services to its national trust bank, Morgan Stanley Digital Trust, which is currently going through the establishment process.

The launch expands a pilot programme that began in May. Morgan Stanley tested the service with some users at the time and then broadened it to eligible E*Trade customers.

Morgan Stanley is also expanding its digital asset business this year. In April, it launched a reserve service that allows stablecoin issuers to deposit token reserve assets in its money market funds to earn interest. In the same month, it also launched a spot bitcoin ETF with a management fee of 0.14 percent.