Vanguard Moves Closer To Joining The Crypto ETF Wave

Vanguard, bastion of financial conservatism, is preparing to take an unexpected step towards cryptos. The asset management giant is considering opening access to crypto ETFs on its brokerage platform. If this development materializes, it would mark a major strategic turning point and strengthen the anchoring of these assets in the institutional financial landscape.

Vanguard is considering access to crypto ETFs for its clients : a historic turnaround?

According to information published on X on September 26, “Vanguard is preparing to allow access to crypto ETFs on its brokerage platform,” while institutions are regaining control with massive purchases of bitcoin.

🚨SCOOP: Vanguard Eyes Crypto ETF Access for Brokerage Clients

The world’s second-largest asset manager, @vanguard, is preparing to allow access to crypto ETFs on its brokerage platform, according to a source familiar with the matter.https://t.co/MDOft0PLXN

— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) September 26, 2025

Indeed, the world’s second largest asset manager has so far demonstrated firm opposition to investment products related to cryptos. Despite SEC approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024, the passive management giant refused to offer their purchase to its clients, even blocking orders on certain products such as BlackRock’s IBIT or Fidelity’s FBTC.

This potential policy change would represent a notable break with a strategy that has so far been very conservative. Vanguard distinguished itself from its competitors by systematically refusing to expose its clients to cryptos, citing in particular a philosophy focused on stability, passive management, and the long term. Concretely, the company had until now :

• Refused access to SEC-approved spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States ;
• Blocked purchases of crypto ETFs on its brokerage platform, including for informed clients ;
• Maintained a skeptical editorial line towards cryptocurrencies, considered too speculative ;
• Repeatedly reaffirmed that cryptos “did not meet the fundamental long-term investment criteria” advocated by the firm.

This turnaround, even if still unofficial, therefore marks an unprecedented strategic evolution for Vanguard, and a strong signal for the entire market.

Towards a calculated opening : competitive pressure or response to demand?

This decision by Vanguard to potentially open access to crypto ETFs is currently being prepared, without precise indication on the implementation timeline or the exact scope of this opening. No details have been communicated so far regarding the types of ETFs concerned or the access conditions for retail clients.

At this stage, this is therefore only unofficial information, but its dissemination raises questions about Vanguard’s real motivations.

This possible shift seems less related to an ideological transformation than to a logic of strategic adaptation. Since the green light was given by the SEC to spot Bitcoin ETFs, investment flows have massively directed towards these new vehicles.

Giants like BlackRock or Fidelity have collected billions of dollars in a few months, creating a precedent that Vanguard cannot indefinitely ignore without risking losing competitiveness.

This decision could also reflect growing pressure from institutional clients and wealthy investors, eager to integrate cryptos into a diversified allocation without leaving the Vanguard ecosystem. In short, more than a choice to adopt cryptos, it would be a pragmatic response to a market dynamic.

If this opening were to be confirmed in the coming weeks or months, it could have major consequences for the ecosystem. On one hand, it would strengthen the legitimacy of crypto ETFs which are increasingly appealing as an institutional asset class. On the other hand, it would create pressure on the last conservative managers still reluctant to take the step. Finally, it could trigger a new wave of adoption, making cryptos accessible to a clientele until now kept at bay for regulatory or strategic reasons.