Crypto Community Calls to Boycott Vanguard as $7.7 Trillion Asset Manager Blocks Spot Bitcoin ETFs

cryptonews.com:

Asset management giant Vanguard has opted not to allow the purchase of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on its platform, triggering the crypto community.

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal on January 11, Vanguard stated that it will not offer the new spot Bitcoin ETFs on its brokerage platform, citing a misalignment with its traditional offerings.

Customers of other investment firms, including Citi, Merrill Lynch, Edward Jones, and UBS, reported being unable to purchase spot Bitcoin ETFs on their respective platforms, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The company explained in a statement to the WSJ, “Spot bitcoin ETFs will not be available for purchase on the Vanguard platform. We also have no plans to offer Vanguard bitcoin ETFs or other crypto-related products.”
Vanguard emphasized its commitment to asset classes like equities, bonds, and cash, which it views as fundamental components of a well-balanced, long-term investment portfolio.

Notably, Vanguard did not apply for a spot Bitcoin ETF among the 14 issuers last year. The decision not to support spot Bitcoin ETFs has led some investors to reconsider their positions, with reports of customers moving their funds to alternative platforms.

I have 8 years worth of 401K savings at @Vanguard_Group from my time as an employee at Google.

I will be rolling over these funds to @Fidelity.

Vanguard's paternalistic blocking of Bitcoin ETFs does not fit in with my investment philosophy. https://t.co/eKmgo0xK5h

— yuga.eth