Vanguard, one of the world’s largest asset managers with more than $10 trillion under management, is preparing for a significant shift in its approach to cryptocurrency. Previously known for a cautious stance, Vanguard is now considering offering its U.S. brokerage clients access to third-party crypto ETFs. This move would mark a historic pivot from their longtime policy of keeping digital assets at arm’s length, signaling a new era of crypto accessibility for traditional investors.

Unlike some competitors that have launched their own crypto products, Vanguard does not currently intend to introduce proprietary crypto ETFs. Instead, the firm is exploring how to enable clients to trade select established offerings by other providers directly through its brokerage platform. This shift is being driven by several factors, including rising client interest in digital assets, evolving market dynamics since 2024, and a rapidly adapting regulatory environment that has become more favorable to crypto investment vehicles.

Until now, Vanguard has trailed firms like Fidelity and Charles Schwab in providing access to cryptocurrencies. But as the regulatory landscape evolves and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accelerates the approval of crypto ETFs, demand from investors is prompting Vanguard to reconsider. While there is no official timeline or finalized list of which ETFs will be available, it’s clear that Vanguard’s measured approach reflects both the growing appetite for digital assets and a changing risk assessment.

This reconsideration of crypto access comes under the leadership of CEO Salim Ramji, who previously played a significant role in launching BlackRock’s successful Bitcoin ETF. Although Ramji has stated that Vanguard won’t copy competitors by rolling out its own crypto ETF, his deep experience in the field adds weight to the company’s careful exploration of third-party ETF offerings.

Vanguard’s evolving stance is expected to increase competition in the market and make crypto investments more accessible to a wider range of investors. As industry trends continue to shift and regulatory barriers fall, Vanguard’s historic pivot could fundamentally reshape how traditional investors participate in the digital asset economy.