Global investment bank Morgan Stanley is establishing a new cryptocurrency research team. “The launch of dedicated crypto research is in recognition of the growing significance of cryptocurrencies and other digital assets in global markets,” the bank said.

Morgan Stanley Sets Up New Research Team

Morgan Stanley is launching a dedicated cryptocurrency research team, Bloomberg reported Monday, citing the bank’s internal memo to staff it has seen.

Led by Sheena Shah, the firm’s lead cryptocurrency analyst, the team will research cryptocurrencies’ impact on both equities and fixed income globally.

Shah will be based in London, where she will report to Adam Wood, who leads Morgan Stanley’s fintech and payments research team in Europe. She will also report to James Faucette, who leads the firm’s fintech and payments research team in the U.S.

The memo states:

The launch of dedicated crypto research is in recognition of the growing significance of cryptocurrencies and other digital assets in global markets.

Morgan Stanley was among the first major investment banks to embrace cryptocurrency. In March, the firm made three bitcoin funds available to its clients. In April, the firm added bitcoin to 12 mutual funds’ investment strategies.

Several other major financial institutions have also established dedicated cryptocurrency teams, including Bank of America (BOFA) which created a crypto research team in July. Last week, asset management firm Franklin Templeton posted a job notice for an “investment research analyst” for cryptocurrency.

A growing number of investment banks have begun offering or are in the process of offering cryptocurrency services to their clients. They include Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Standard Chartered, Wells Fargo, and DBS.

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