$12T Vanguard Still Skeptical of Bitcoin Despite Offering BTC ETFs, Calls It a ‘Digital Labubu’ Toy

Vanguard Group, which oversees about $12 trillion in assets, remains skeptical of Bitcoin despite allowing clients to trade spot Bitcoin ETFs. One of the firm’s top investment leaders says its core view on crypto has not changed.

Is Vanguard Rejecting Bitcoin as an Investment?

John Ameriks, Vanguard’s global head of quantitative equity, said that Bitcoin looks more like a speculative collectible than a serious long-term investment. Speaking at Bloomberg’s ETFs in Depth conference in New York, he compared Bitcoin to a viral plush toy, calling it a “digital Labubu.”

Ameriks explained that Bitcoin does not meet Vanguard’s standards for productive assets. He said the firm looks for income, cash flow, and compounding over time.

In his view, Bitcoin lacks all three. Without proof of durable economic value, he does not see it as more than a speculative object.

Why Vanguard is Permitting the Trading of Bitcoin ETFs

At the beginning of this month, the Vanguard trading platform became open to a short list of spot Bitcoin ETFs. The move allowed millions of the firm’s customers to trade crypto-based ETFs, although Vanguard does not operate a BTC ETF.

His views follow the recent massive drop in the price of Bitcoin. According to TradingView, BTC price is trading at approximately $92,000, which is lower than the $126,000 it was few weeks ago. Although strong falls have been preceded by massive recoveries, sharp price swings remain a constant characteristic of the digital asset.

According to Ameriks, the decision to allow trading of crypto ETFs was reached following months of observation of the activity of the Bitcoin ETFs. Vanguard was concerned with ensuring that the products did what they were expected to do.

However, Vanguard does not promote investing in crypto. Its clients can buy and sell the ETFs related to the digital asset. Also, Vanguard does not provide any recommendations on the purchase, sale, or holding of any digital asset.

Why is Vanguard Confident in Blockchain and Not BTC?

Ameriks did not deny that Bitcoin could be needed in during certain situations. these include periods of high inflation and political instability. However, he claimed that it has a poor price history because it is short in age.

Hence, it doesn’t have the track record which can be used to develop a reliable investment thesis. Meanwhile, analysts at Bernstein disagree. They see Bitcoin heading higher based on ETF flows amid the recent volatility.

Vanguard did strike a more positive note on blockchain technology itself. A company spokesperson said the firm sees potential for blockchain to improve market structure and financial infrastructure over time. That optimism, however, does not yet extend to Bitcoin as an asset.