Morgan Stanley, one of the biggest names in finance, is preparing to launch cryptocurrency trading for regular investors. The service could go live as early as next year and will be available through its E-Trade platform. This move shows that digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana are becoming more mainstream and could be a big part of everyday investing soon.

The decision also reflects a wider trend across the financial world. More companies are opening up to crypto as U.S. government policies become more supportive. In fact, the White House recently said it wants to make the U.S. the global leader in crypto innovation.

Morgan Stanley isn’t just stopping at offering crypto trading. The company is looking at the bigger picture, including blockchain technology and tokenized assets. These technologies could change how financial services work in the future, making transactions faster, safer, and more transparent.

But with all this digital activity comes a big energy cost. Mining cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin uses a massive amount of electricity. It takes so much power that one transaction can use as much energy as six American homes in a single day. If all that energy comes from coal or gas, it creates pollution that contributes to climate change, including extreme weather events like floods and wildfires.

Thankfully, things are improving. A recent report from the University of Cambridge found that over 50% of Bitcoin mining now uses renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Another 10% comes from nuclear power. That’s a big jump from two years ago when only about 38% was renewable-powered.

Some crypto platforms are also making changes to use less energy. For example, Ethereum recently switched to a new system that cut its energy use by nearly 100%. Tech companies like Meta are also investing heavily in clean energy to keep up with growing computing demands, especially as artificial intelligence becomes more common.

In Brazil, crypto miners are even working with local energy providers to tap into extra clean power, helping reduce their carbon footprint while staying profitable.

Still, more progress is needed to keep crypto growth sustainable and prevent further environmental damage. Investors can help by supporting green investment options like eco-friendly 401(k) plans. These let you invest in companies that care about the planet without giving up strong returns.

As more financial services move online and rely on powerful computers, it’s important to keep an eye on how much energy they use and where it comes from. Morgan Stanley’s push into crypto is just one sign that the future of money is going digital—and it needs to be clean, too.

The rise of blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and digital finance is likely to disrupt how wealth is managed. As these technologies grow, both investors and companies must find ways to stay innovative while protecting the environment.