Bitcoin News Today: Vanguard Reverses Crypto Skepticism as Demand and Regulation Align

Vanguard Group, the world's second-largest asset manager with $11 trillion in assets under management, is set to allow its 50 million brokerage clients to trade [cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds](https://coinpedia.org/crypto-live-news/vanguard-opens-its-platform-to-crypto-etfs-and-funds/) and mutual funds starting December 2, 2025, marking a significant reversal from its long-standing skepticism toward digital assets. The firm will support regulated crypto ETFs and funds holding Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and other major cryptocurrencies, [aligning its approach with how it treats](https://www.livebitcoinnews.com/crypto-etfs-news-vanguard-approves-trading-for-crypto-etfs/) niche asset classes like gold. However, Vanguard explicitly excluded memecoins and [emphasized it will not launch](https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/12/01/vanguard-opens-platform-to-crypto-etfs-in-major-shift-bloomberg) its own crypto products, maintaining its focus on low-cost, regulated offerings.

The decision reflects growing demand from both retail and institutional investors, as well as evolving market infrastructure. [Spot Bitcoin ETFs, approved in January 2024](https://cointelegraph.com/news/vanguard-to-allow-clients-trade-crypto-etfs), have attracted billions in assets despite recent market corrections, with BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) maintaining $70 billion in assets.

Vanguard's leadership, under CEO Salim Ramji-formerly BlackRock's global ETF head- [cited improved administrative processes](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/news/vanguard-opens-platform-to-bitcoin-etfs) and investor preferences as key factors in the policy shift. The firm had previously resisted crypto ETFs due to volatility concerns, with former CEO Tim Buckley [dismissing them as unsuitable](https://www.coinglass.com/news/761404) for long-term portfolios.

Analysts view the move as a milestone in mainstream adoption, [potentially opening the floodgates](https://financefeeds.com/vanguard-finally-lets-users-trade-crypto-after-years-of-resistance/) for traditional investors to access regulated crypto products without leaving Vanguard's platform. The firm's decision aligns with broader trends in the ETF industry, where over 150 cryptocurrency-based exchange-traded products now track 35 digital assets, [with more than 100 new crypto ETFs expected](https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/12/01/vanguard-opens-platform-to-crypto-etfs-in-major-shift-bloomberg) to launch in the next six months. By enabling access to third-party crypto funds, Vanguard joins competitors like BlackRock and Fidelity in catering to a market that has seen rapid growth despite periodic volatility.

The shift also underscores the maturing regulatory environment. Vanguard emphasized that it will only support funds meeting regulatory standards, similar to its treatment of gold and other niche assets. This approach aligns with the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) approval of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, which have demonstrated liquidity and performance consistency during market swings. While Vanguard's stance on memecoins remains firm, the firm's actions signal growing institutional confidence in crypto as a legitimate asset class.

Industry observers anticipate ripple effects across the market. With Vanguard's client base managing over $11 trillion, the firm's endorsement could drive increased liquidity and reduce reliance on unregulated crypto markets. Meanwhile, other traditional finance (TradFi) giants, such as Goldman Sachs, are also expanding their crypto footprints, signaling a broader convergence between digital and traditional asset classes. As the financial landscape evolves, Vanguard's decision highlights the accelerating integration of crypto into mainstream investment strategies.