Multi-trillion-dollar asset manager Vanguard hiring crypto exec to help influence market

Vanguard, the world's second-largest asset manager, is looking for someone to head up digital asset strategy and represent the multi-trillion-dollar firm with regulators, according to a recent posting.

The firm's head of digital assets will be tasked with leading Vanguard's crypto-related strategy for personal wealth clients, interacting with regulators and helping influence "market standards."

Vanguard said it had $12 trillion in assets under management at the end of 2025.

This appears to be the first time Vanguard is seeking to hire a professional specifically to work across initiatives and strategy tied to cryptocurrency investments. In comparison, BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, is significantly involved in digital assets, including issuing spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.

According to the job posting from Monday, Vanguard's new crypto executive will become the firm's "senior subject matter expert" who is expected "to shape and deliver a scalable end-to-end strategy."

Although at times publicly critical, Vanguard has not completely avoided crypto. Last year, the firm allowed funds holding cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, Solana, XRP, and ether to begin trading on its platform. Also last year, at one point, Vanguard became the largest shareholder in Strategy, the world's largest Bitcoin treasury company.

The Wall Street giant previously called Bitcoin an "immature asset class" that is inappropriate for long-term investors. Vanguard CEO Salim Ramji has previously said the firm would not follow the lead of BlackRock and Fidelity and launch its own crypto-based ETF.