Here’s what happened in crypto today

Today in crypto, Morgan Stanley’s E*TRADE launched spot cryptocurrency trading for eligible retail clients, the US Senate unanimously adopted a resolution opposing executive clemency for Sam Bankman-Fried and President Donald Trump is set to meet senators at the White House to discuss the CLARITY Act as lawmakers push to advance crypto market structure legislation before the August recess.

Morgan Stanley’s E*TRADE expands into spot crypto trading with Zero Hash

Morgan Stanley’s E*TRADE has rolled out spot cryptocurrency trading for eligible retail clients, enabling them to buy, sell and hold Bitcoin, Ether and Solana through a partnership with crypto infrastructure provider Zero Hash.

The launch integrates crypto holdings alongside stocks and other traditional investments on the E*TRADE platform, with support for digital asset transfers expected later this year. The self-directed brokerage serves 8.6 million households and manages about $1.56 trillion in client assets as of March 31. Trades incur a 50-basis-point fee, while custody is provided through separate Zero Hash accounts that are not protected by FDIC or SIPC insurance. Morgan Stanley said it plans to migrate custody services to its Morgan Stanley Digital Trust once operational.

The rollout follows a limited pilot launched in May and marks another step in Morgan Stanley’s broader digital asset strategy. This year, the bank has expanded into stablecoin reserve services and launched a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund.

US Senate adopts resolution opposing clemency for SBF

The US Senate has adopted a resolution opposing executive clemency for former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, the convicted crypto executive behind one of the industry’s largest collapses.

The Senate has agreed by unanimous consent to the simple resolution (S. Res. 772), with a nonbinding measure stating that Bankman-Fried should not receive executive clemency, according to a Wednesday X post by the Senate Press Gallery.

The resolution affirms the Senate’s commitment to the rule of law and the integrity of the US financial system following Bankman-Fried’s conviction on fraud and conspiracy charges related to FTX’s collapse.

The measure cannot block a presidential pardon but reflects bipartisan Senate opposition after Bankman-Fried sought executive clemency from President Donald Trump.

Trump to meet with senators over CLARITY Act on Thursday

US President Donald Trump is set to meet with several senators at the White House on Thursday to discuss progress on the crypto market structure bill. 

According to Politico, Senator Bernie Moreno said a group of senators will brief the president on the bill and “its path to success.” Senator Cynthia Lummis will also attend, according to a Senate Republican aide.

“We’ll be talking about the entirety of the bill. I mean, obviously the president’s been very engaged in this bill,” said Moreno. “He’s the one who’s really driven the innovation that I think will pay dividends.” 

The meeting comes as lawmakers race to pass the crypto market structure bill, known as the CLARITY Act, before the Senate’s August recess. Many lawmakers see it as the last realistic opportunity to pass the legislation before the midterm elections. 

“I’m hoping that we can come up with some agreement by the end of this week,” Senator Thom Tillis, who has been helping work through the CLARITY Act’s unresolved provisions, told Politico. 

“I think it’s critical if we’re going to try and get this across the floor before August recess.”