Morgan Stanley Reports Modest Stakes in Two XRP ETFs in Q1 2026 13F
Morgan Stanley disclosed positions in two XRP-linked exchange-traded funds in its first-quarter 2026 Form 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, according to filing details cited in market reports. While the exposure is small, it places XRP among the digital-asset products held by one of Wall Street's largest wealth managers.
The bank, which oversees more than $9 trillion in client assets, reported owning 1,700 shares of the Volatility Shares XRP ETF and 100 shares of the Grayscale XRP ETF, which trades under the ticker GXRP. The disclosure adds XRP to Morgan Stanley's roster of crypto-related investment positions as institutional demand for digital-asset funds broadens beyond Bitcoin.
The filing indicates the exposure was obtained through ETFs rather than direct holdings of the token, meaning the bank reported shares in regulated XRP-linked products rather than an on-chain wallet balance. The combined position remains modest relative to the firm's overall activity.
Interest in XRP ETFs has been building even as some issuers, including Trump Media, have dropped XRP ETF filings. Market data cited in reports showed U.S. spot XRP ETFs recorded a $25.8 million single-day inflow on May 11, with $60.5 million in net inflows for the week of May 11 to May 15. Cumulative inflows since the products launched in November 2025 were reported at $1.37 billion, trailing Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs among major crypto fund categories.
Morgan Stanley's XRP ETF disclosure also aligns with a broader expansion of its digital-asset offering. The firm has introduced retail crypto trading via its E*Trade platform, supporting Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana, using Zero Hash for liquidity and custody infrastructure, according to the details provided. It has also moved into branded crypto vehicles, including the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust, and has filed for spot Ethereum and Solana trusts; the Ethereum product is described as incorporating an automated staking-yield mechanism.
Separately, the firm's digital-asset strategy efforts have been linked to development work on an institutional and high-net-worth digital wallet designed for custody and settlement of tokenized real-world assets such as private equity, bonds and real estate.
Broader XRP-related institutional signals continue to draw attention as the token's price has largely traded in a range. Alongside ETF flows, reports have pointed to large-holder accumulation and Ripple's continued buildout of services aimed at financial institutions. The May 11 inflow of $25.8 million was cited as the largest single-day intake since January 5, and the May 11 to May 15 week as the strongest of 2026 for U.S. spot XRP ETFs. Since the November 2025 launch, cumulative inflows have been reported at $1.37 billion.
Standard Chartered's forecast remains part of the market narrative. Jake Claver was cited as saying the bank continues to project $4 billion to $8 billion of XRP ETF inflows in 2026, contingent on passage of the CLARITY Act.
On-chain data have also indicated growth among larger XRP holders. As of May 12, 332,230 wallets reportedly held at least 10,000 XRP, a record level. Wallets holding 1 million XRP or more were said to have added 42 new addresses since the start of 2026, and that cohort accumulated 1.2 billion XRP during the first quarter.
Ripple's corporate activity has added another dimension to institutional interest in XRP-linked infrastructure. The company completed its $1.25 billion acquisition of prime brokerage Hidden Road, expanding its footprint in institutional trading and settlement. Ripple has also been referenced in connection with DTCC and NSCC broker directory listings, bringing elements of its expanded business closer to traditional market infrastructure.
