Vanguard Embraces Digital Assets After $2-Year Crypto Lag

Vanguard, one of the world's largest asset managers with $12 trillion in assets under management (AUM), has finally begun embracing digital assets. The company, which had previously been hesitant to adopt cryptocurrency, has started allowing clients to buy and sell third-party crypto ETFs and mutual funds through their brokerage accounts.

This change of heart began last year when Vanguard appointed Salim Ramji, the former head of iShares at BlackRock, as CEO. Although Ramji stated that Vanguard's approach to crypto was consistent with its investing philosophy, he had previously been involved in launching the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF, the largest Bitcoin ETF by AUM.

In December 2025, Vanguard began allowing clients to buy and sell third-party crypto ETFs and mutual funds. More recently, the company posted a head of digital assets job, which includes building and executing a multiyear digital assets roadmap for Vanguard.