Vanguard is hiring a head of digital assets

Vanguard is now hiring for a Head of Digital Assets, signaling yet another shot at the crypto market by the asset manager, which once denied clients access to crypto.

According to a job posting Monday, the $12 trillion asset manager is seeking a Head of Digital Assets in the United States to lead “digital assets strategy, roadmap, and enterprise execution,” across Vanguard Personal Wealth.

The successful candidate is expected to serve as “Vanguard’s senior subject matter expert for digital assets across Personal Wealth,” reads the job description.

The responsibilities include developing a “multi-year digital assets roadmap” and defining how Vanguard can implement “digital asset capabilities, products, and operating models.”

Vanguard also seeks an exec with knowledge on areas including “tokenization, stablecoins, wallets/custody models, settlement, blockchain-enabled operating models, and the broader digital asset ecosystem.”

The job posting apparently marks the first major crypto role being created at Vanguard, which was once seen as anti-crypto.

Vanguard U-turns on crypto

In 2024, Vanguard took a stance against Bitcoin ETFs, announcing at that time that they “have no plans to offer Vanguard Bitcoin ETFs or other crypto-related products” to clients.

“Our perspective is long-standing that cryptocurrencies’ high volatility runs counter to our goal of helping investors generate positive real returns over the long term,” the company said.

Nearly two years later, just when Bitcoin ETFs had seen over $113.29 billion in AUM led by BlackRock, Vanguard eased up its stance, announcing in December 2025 that it would allow trading of mutual funds and ETFs that primarily invest in cryptos on its platform.

“Cryptocurrency ETFs and mutual funds have been tested through periods of market volatility, performing as designed while maintaining liquidity,” Vanguard’s head of brokerage and investments, Andrew Kadjeski, concluded.

In the same month, Vanguard’s biggest rival BlackRock, with up to $10 trillion in AUM, had also opened a search for seven digital asset positions, as it continues to deepen its footprint in crypto. Six was based in the United States and one in Singapore.

BlackRock’s IBIT currently accounts for $46.7 billion in net assets.

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