Vanguard Group, the world’s second-largest asset manager, has officially lifted its long-standing ban on cryptocurrency investments, allowing ETFs and mutual funds that hold digital assets to trade on its platform.
Starting Tuesday, Vanguard’s 8 million brokerage clients can now access crypto-linked funds, including those tracking Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, and Solana, marking a major policy shift for a firm once critical of digital assets.
The move follows sustained retail and institutional demand. Since their January 2024 debut, spot Bitcoin ETFs have become one of the fastest-growing segments in US fund history, with BlackRock’s IBIT ETF alone managing around $70 billion, despite recent outflows.
Vanguard’s head of brokerage and investments, Andrew Kadjeski, said the company’s infrastructure is now ready to support these products.
“Cryptocurrency ETFs and mutual funds have been tested through volatility and performed as designed,” Kadjeski said. “Investor preferences continue to evolve.”
The decision comes under the leadership of CEO Salim Ramji, a former BlackRock executive and blockchain advocate. While Vanguard still has no plans to launch its own crypto products, it will permit trading of approved ETFs that meet regulatory standards, similar to how it handles commodities like gold.
However, funds tied to memecoins or speculative tokens will remain barred.
Analysts say the shift represents another milestone in the mainstream adoption of digital assets, signaling that even the most conservative institutions are acknowledging crypto’s staying power.
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