Why is Vanguard hiring a head of digital assets?

Vanguard is hiring a head of digital assets to develop its strategy for tokenisation, stablecoins, blockchain infrastructure and client-facing digital asset products. The role will also oversee the company's approach to custody models, blockchain settlement and engagement with regulators.

What does the new digital assets role at Vanguard involve?

Vanguard said the head of digital assets will determine how the company participates in digital assets. Responsibilities include assessing tokenisation, stablecoins, blockchain-based settlement, custody models and potential client-facing digital asset products.

How does Vanguard's new digital assets role differ from its previous cryptocurrency stance?

Vanguard previously said it would not launch cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds despite growing demand for spot Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) ETFs. The new hiring suggests the company is evaluating broader digital asset opportunities, although it has not announced plans to launch cryptocurrency investment products.

How are other asset managers expanding into tokenised assets?

Franklin Templeton manages about US$2.5 billion in tokenised assets, BlackRock oversees roughly US$2.3 billion and Fidelity launched a blockchain-based liquidity fund in 2026. These firms are among several asset managers increasing their use of tokenisation and blockchain infrastructure.

Cryptocurrency

Image for illustrative purposes only. Not a real photo.

Vanguard hires digital assets strategy chief

Written by Heidi Cuthbert Published Jul 8, 2026, 12:25 AM

Vanguard is recruiting a head of digital assets to oversee its strategy for tokenisation, stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure.
The role marks a shift for the asset manager after years of resisting cryptocurrency investment products.
The company will assess client-facing digital asset products while expanding its engagement with regulators and the broader industry.

Vanguard is hiring a head of digital assets to lead its strategy for tokenisation, stablecoins, blockchain infrastructure, custody models and client-facing digital asset products.

The appointment marks a change in direction after Vanguard chief executive Salim Ramji said in August 2024 that the firm would not launch cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds despite growing investor demand for spot Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) ETFs.

According to the job description, the successful candidate will determine how Vanguard participates in digital assets, including evaluating blockchain-based settlement, tokenisation, stablecoins and engagement with regulators, clients and industry groups.

Vanguard manages approximately US$12.5 trillion in global assets, and no share price reaction was available because the company is privately owned.

The recruitment comes as tokenised real-world assets have grown to approximately US$33.5 billion, including US$14.9 billion in tokenised US Treasury products, according to RWA.xyz.

Other asset managers have expanded their tokenisation strategies, with Franklin Templeton managing about US$2.5 billion in tokenised assets, BlackRock overseeing roughly US$2.3 billion and Fidelity launching a blockchain-based liquidity fund in 2026.

At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $63,473.14.