Vanguard has reversed its long-held anti-crypto stance by allowing clients to trade regulated crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds starting December 2, 2025.
Key Takeaways:
- Vanguard will now allow trading of third-party ETFs and mutual funds holding major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP and Solana, provided they meet regulatory standards.
- The firm will not launch its own crypto ETF products and will exclude speculative tokens or funds lacking proper regulatory approval.
- Vanguard’s move, backed by its massive $11T in assets, is set to fuel mainstream crypto adoption and dramatically increase inflows into digital asset funds.
Vanguard’s decision represents a complete reversal from its previous position, where it blocked access to spot-Bitcoin ETFs and removed Bitcoin futures from customer trading options in early 2024. At the time, the company argued that cryptocurrencies did not align with its long-term, low-volatility investment philosophy. However, accelerating interest from retail and institutional clients, combined with the rapid growth of regulated cryptocurrency investment vehicles, eventually placed the firm under competitive pressure.
The appointment of Salim Ramji as CEO in 2024, also known as the former head of BlackRock’s ETF division, signaled a potential shift. Months later, Vanguard concluded that regulated crypto ETFs had demonstrated operational reliability and liquidity through various periods of volatility. This assessment ultimately led to the decision to open access to crypto-exposed ETFs and mutual funds on its brokerage platform.
What the New Trading Access Covers
Beginning December 2, 2025, Vanguard clients can trade third-party ETFs and mutual funds that primarily hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP and Solana, provided they meet regulatory standards and listing requirements. The firm emphasized that this expansion does not include speculative memecoins or unregulated digital assets.
According to Vanguard’s brokerage leadership, the maturing infrastructure supporting digital assets, which includes custody customs and compliance frameworks, played a role in enabling this update. The firm stated that crypto ETFs “performed as designed” during volatile conditions, supporting the decision to include them alongside other alternative investment products within traditional crypto portfolio strategies.
Market Reaction and Real-Time Price Update
As of this writing (11:45AM UTC), the broader crypto market shows mixed trading conditions as markets digest the implications of Vanguard’s ETF news.
Bitcoin (BTC) is trading at approximately $87,388.06, reflecting price gains around 1.3% in the last 24 hours with its current price sitting around intraday highs. BTC touched intraday lows near $83,989.43, whish suggests that the token is in its recovery phase. Meanwhile, Ethereum trades around $2,824.11, down 0.5% in the same period.
So far, the market shows no direct and significant reaction after Vanguard’s announcement, but analysts believe its long-term impact may be more meaningful.
Vanguard’s Essence in Traditional Finance
Vanguard’s participation significantly strengthens the institutional legitimacy of regulated crypto investment products. The company’s scale means that even small allocations from its user base could translate into billions in cumulative inflows for crypto ETFs. Industry experts also expect the move to influence other conservative TradFi firms that have not yet integrated digital-asset exposure into their platforms.
Beyond capital flows, the announcement sends a signal that cryptocurrencies, especially BTC and ETH, are now being considered as maturing asset classes suitable for long-term investing strategies when packaged through compliant ETFs. This shift could reshape how the broader investment community views digital assets as part of diversified portfolios.
What’s Next
Next coming months will likely determine whether Vanguard’s inclusion results to measurable inflows into digital-asset ETFs. Market watchers will monitor early demand through the platform, especially during periods of price volatility that could influence investor appetite.
If adoption trends accelerate, the announcement may be remembered as a key milestone in moving cryptocurrencies from speculative instruments into fully normalized components of mainstream investment portfolios.
Summary
Vanguard reversed its prior stance and will allow clients to trade regulated third-party crypto ETFs and mutual funds holding BTC, ETH, XRP and SOL beginning Dec 2, 2025, while excluding unregulated tokens.
