Morgan Stanley ETF Launch Triggers Major Crypto Rally as Bitcoin Hits 72k and New Presale Surges

Morgan Stanley opens BTC access to $6.2 trillion in assets as Bitcoin hits $72k. Plus, why the Pepeto presale is attracting $8.8M in capital.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 5:36 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from FinanceFeeds

Institutional Milestone Drives Major Market Rebound

The digital asset landscape shifted decisively following Morgan Stanley’s debut of the MSBT ETF, the first spot bitcoin product from a major United States bank. This move grants 16,000 financial advisors direct access to bitcoin for a client base holding $6.2 trillion in assets. Trading with a market-low 0.14% fee, the fund successfully undercuts established competitors. The announcement acted as a massive catalyst, propelling the bitcoin price to $72,738 and signaling a return to bullish sentiment across the broader market.

Macroeconomic Factors and Liquidations Fuel Gains

Beyond institutional adoption, geopolitical developments have played a critical role in the current price action. A recently reported ceasefire involving Iran led to the liquidation of $420 million in short positions, according to Bloomberg data. This short squeeze, combined with $600 million in total futures liquidations, effectively cleared bearish bets. In the wake of this volatility, Ethereum climbed 7.4% to reach $2,273, while XRP rose 4.5% to $1.37, as the market moved to recalibrate following the removal of downward pressure.

Utility-Driven Innovation in the Cross-Chain Sector

While blue-chip assets dominate headlines, the emerging project Pepeto is drawing attention by addressing core technical inefficiencies in decentralized finance. The platform features a live exchange and a zero-fee bridge designed to transfer tokens across Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Solana in seconds. By eliminating high gas fees and the need for multiple third-party applications, the project aims to provide a safe, unified environment for high-speed swaps, attracting significant interest from traders seeking functional decentralized tools.