"Previously condemned as speculation"...Vanguard embarks on its first-ever digital strategy

▲ Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP (XRP), Solana (SOL), Digital Assets/AI Generated Image

Vanguard, a $12 trillion asset manager, has embarked on establishing a cryptocurrency strategy by hiring a head of digital assets for the first time ever. Unlike its past stance of blocking Bitcoin spot ETFs, it has officially announced the creation of a multi-year digital asset roadmap as a key task.

According to crypto-focused media outlet BeInCrypto on July 7 (local time), Vanguard posted a job opening on July 6 for its first Head of Digital Assets to lead its personal wealth management division. The successful candidate will lead the digital asset strategy and long-term roadmap, encompassing products, operating models, risk management, and collaboration with regulatory authorities.

When Bitcoin (BTC) spot ETFs were launched in January 2024, Vanguard blocked the trading of related products on its brokerage platform. Its executives had also long considered cryptocurrencies to be speculative assets. However, in December 2025, by allowing the trading of third-party cryptocurrency ETFs and mutual funds, it opened access to products related to Bitcoin, Ethereum (ETH), XRP, and Solana (SOL) for over 50 million brokerage clients.

The policy shift occurred under Vanguard CEO Salim Ramji, who took office in July 2024. Ramji led the iShares division during his tenure at BlackRock, and that division launched the iShares Bitcoin Trust. As of March 31, IBIT held approximately $54 billion.

However, Vanguard has not applied for its own cryptocurrency ETF nor has it presented plans to launch its own Bitcoin spot ETF. The company maintains its investment principle of preferring assets with transparent cash flows and is providing cryptocurrency investment opportunities through third-party products. The net assets of US Bitcoin spot ETFs were $74.37 billion on July 2, with a net inflow of $221.72 million on the same day after 10 consecutive trading days of net outflows.

The scope of work for the new Head of Digital Assets is set broader than merely launching a single ETF. BeInCrypto reported that the multi-year personal wealth management roadmap could include custody, advisory portfolios, and financial tokenization strategies. Whether Vanguard will remain in the exploratory phase or expand its strategy to actual customer-facing products will become clear based on the new head's initial actions.

[Article Summary]

-Vanguard, a $12 trillion asset manager, has embarked on hiring a Head of Digital Assets for the first time ever.

-Vanguard, which blocked Bitcoin spot ETF trading in 2024, allowed trading of third-party cryptocurrency investment products in 2025.

-Vanguard has begun establishing a multi-year digital asset strategy without presenting plans to launch its own Bitcoin spot ETF.

*Disclaimer: This article is for investment reference only, and we are not responsible for any investment losses based on it. The content should be interpreted for informational purposes only.*