Vanguard, the world’s second-largest asset manager with $10 trillion in assets under management, is preparing to give its brokerage clients access to cryptocurrency ETFs. This marks a sharp reversal from its earlier resistance to digital assets, especially as competitors like BlackRock have already rolled out their own crypto funds.
According to Crypto in America, Vanguard has started laying the foundation and holding external talks to bring crypto ETFs onto its brokerage platform. While there is no set timeline yet, this move reflects rising demand from clients and a more favorable regulatory environment for crypto investment products.
Unlike BlackRock, Vanguard has no immediate plans to launch its own crypto funds. Instead, the company intends to provide brokerage customers access to carefully selected third-party crypto ETFs. The exact list of products remains undecided, but analysts suggest Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs will likely lead the lineup.
This shift comes as crypto ETFs see stronger adoption worldwide, with more altcoin-focused funds expected to launch as early as October. The SEC has also approved new listing standards, paving the way for a wider range of crypto funds to enter the market.
Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas called Vanguard’s move “bending the knee,” noting how significant this reversal is given the firm’s earlier claims that Bitcoin was unsuitable for long-term investors. He also emphasized that CEO Salim Ramji, who was involved in the launch of BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, likely recognizes the massive growth opportunity in the space.
With 50 million investors and dominance in U.S. fund management, Vanguard’s entry into the crypto ETF space could be a game-changer for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the broader crypto market—even if many of its traditional clients are not yet “crypto-first” investors.
