Crypto Community Urges Boycott of Vanguard as $7.7 Trillion Asset Manager Restricts Spot Bitcoin ETFs

Vanguard Excludes Spot Bitcoin ETFs from Platform

Asset management giant Vanguard has decided not to allow the purchase of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on its platform, causing discontent among the crypto community. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Vanguard stated that it will not offer spot Bitcoin ETFs on its brokerage platform due to a misalignment with its traditional offerings. Customers of other investment firms, including Citi, Merrill Lynch, Edward Jones, and UBS, have also reported being unable to purchase spot Bitcoin ETFs on their respective platforms.

Vanguard’s Commitment to Traditional Asset Classes

Vanguard explained that it remains committed to asset classes such as equities, bonds, and cash, which it considers fundamental components of a well-balanced, long-term investment portfolio. The company did not apply for a spot Bitcoin ETF among the 14 issuers last year. This decision has prompted some investors to reconsider their positions and move their funds to alternative platforms.

Crypto Community Expresses Dissatisfaction

Members of the crypto community have voiced their dissatisfaction with Vanguard’s exclusion of spot Bitcoin ETFs. Some have called for a boycott of the $7.7 trillion asset manager. Vanguard reportedly only allows investors to sell Grayscale’s flagship Bitcoin product, GBTC, which recently transitioned into a spot ETF. Coinbase’s senior engineering manager Yuga Cohler announced plans to transfer Roth 401(k) savings from Vanguard to Fidelity, one of the issuers of the newly launched spot Bitcoin ETFs. Cohler criticized Vanguard’s “paternalistic blocking” of Bitcoin ETFs as contradictory to his investment philosophy.

Hot Take: Vanguard Faces Criticism for Blocking Spot Bitcoin ETFs

Vanguard’s decision not to allow the purchase of spot Bitcoin ETFs on its platform has sparked backlash from the crypto community. Investors and industry professionals have expressed their dissatisfaction and even called for a boycott of the asset management giant. Vanguard’s commitment to traditional asset classes, while excluding cryptocurrencies, has led some investors to reconsider their positions and seek alternative platforms that offer spot Bitcoin ETFs. This controversy highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the integration of cryptocurrencies into mainstream investment portfolios and raises questions about the role of traditional financial institutions in the crypto space.