Vanguard’s Crypto U-Turn: 50M Investors Finally Get Access After ’Regrets Over Delay’

Wall Street's most reluctant giant blinks.

Vanguard reverses course on digital assets—opening crypto ETF access to its massive 50-million-strong investor base. The move comes after internal documents revealed strategic regrets over delaying entry into the fastest-growing asset class.

The Gatekeepers Crumble

For years, Vanguard resisted crypto while competitors built billion-dollar digital asset divisions. Now the $7 trillion asset manager executes a dramatic pivot—bypassing its own conservative legacy to embrace Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.

Mainstream Money Meets Digital Gold

The rollout targets retirement accounts and institutional clients first. Vanguard's infrastructure will handle custody and compliance—bringing regulatory rigor to wild west crypto markets. Finally, boomers can allocate 1% of their 401(k) to something more exciting than bond funds.

Better late than never—unless you missed the 150% Bitcoin rally last year while waiting for permission to invest.

Key Takeaways

Why has Vanguard changed its stance on crypto? 

Client demand for crypto ETF access reportedly drove the shift, forcing Vanguard to adapt and open its brokerage platform to third-party products.

How will it impact crypto markets?

According to Bloomberg ETF analyst Balchunas, it will be positive for the sector. 

Vanguard, a $10 trillion asset manager, is reportedly planning to offer access to crypto ETFs after distancing itself from the industry since 2024. 

According to a former Fox Business reporter, Eleanor Terret, the firm is planning to allow clients access to third-party crypto ETFs. 

The world’s largest mutual fund and second-biggest asset manager will enable access through its brokerage platform. 

Reactions as Vanguard plays crypto catch-up

Gerald Gallagher, General Counsel at SEI Labs, confirmed the Vanguard plans, citing a senior insider familiar with the issue. He added that the asset manager had “regrets” and wished they had done it “sooner.”

Gallagher noted that the firm will not do original crypto ETF issuance but will offer access to third-party providers due to client demand. 

By contrast, Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas said the pivot was expected. He previously predicted that the new Vanguard CEO, Salim Ramji, who spearheaded BlackRock’s Bitcoin [BTC] ETF, would accept crypto. 

He added that it was “smart of them” to end the bitcoin ETF ban.

“Smart of them imo. Bitcoin and ethereum [ETH] ETFs hugely popular, and Salim (the CEO) was one of IBIT’s midwives, so he knows.”

Source: X

Market backdrop

As of September, BlackRock crypto holdings were worth about $100 billion. Its Bitcoin ETF, iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT), had over $85B worth of assets at current market prices. 

Overall, the world’s largest asset manager was earning about $250 million in revenue from its crypto section, surpassing its equity business line. 

Source: X

Fidelity was the second-largest crypto ETF player, with about $25 billion in net crypto assets under management. 

That being said, the details on Vanguard crypto ETF plans will be known in the NEAR future. But the impact will be positive for the market, added Balchunas. 

“Vanguard has 50 million investors. Obviously, many are not the bitcoin type, but that’s massive; they are the biggest fund company in the US by two times over.”