Vanguard Follows Bitcoin’s Lead, Rejects Spot Ethereum (ETH) ETFs

• Vanguard has refused to host a spot Ethereum ETF, citing that cryptocurrencies do not align with their offerings of other asset classes like equities, bonds, and cash.
• This decision comes despite Vanguard’s competitors, such as BlackRock, accelerating their bids for Ether ETFs.
• The approval of the spot Ether ETF has become a significant election issue in the US.

Vanguard’s stance on Ethereum ETFs underscores the ongoing debate about the place of cryptocurrencies in traditional investment portfolios.

Vanguard’s Refusal to Offer Spot Ethereum ETFs

Vanguard Group, one of America’s largest investment advisors, has firmly distanced itself from the crypto world, stating that it is not a mature asset class. After previously refusing to join its peers in offering a spot Bitcoin ETF, Vanguard has taken a similar stance regarding the spot Ethereum ETF. A spokesperson from Vanguard told Blockworks, “While we continuously evaluate our brokerage offerings and consider new product entries to the market, spot ether ETFs will not be available for purchase on the Vanguard platform.”

Regulatory Hurdles and Competitor Moves

The statement from Vanguard comes shortly after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the 19b-4 filings from various issuers. However, for the spot Ether ETFs to commence trading, the SEC still needs to clear the S-1 registration statements from fund issuers. On May 29, BlackRock submitted its revised S-1 application, indicating its readiness to move forward once regulatory approval is granted.

Despite the regulatory hurdles, many expect the approval process to take several weeks, with a potential launch around the 4th of July. Vanguard’s clear stance on digital assets was reiterated by a spokesperson who said, “We believe that cryptocurrency products are not aligned with our offerings focused on asset classes such as equities, bonds, and cash, which Vanguard views as the building blocks of a well-balanced, long-term investment portfolio.”

Spot Ether ETF as an Election Issue

Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest, has highlighted that the approval of the Ethereum spot ETF is becoming a significant election issue. Initially, many market analysts were skeptical about the ETF receiving SEC approval. Wood also suggested that while a Solana ETF might get the green light, ETFs focused on memecoins are unlikely to gain regulatory endorsement.

Conclusion

Vanguard’s refusal to offer a spot Ethereum ETF highlights the ongoing debate about the role of cryptocurrencies in traditional investment portfolios. While competitors like BlackRock push forward with their crypto offerings, Vanguard remains steadfast in its belief that digital assets do not align with their long-term investment strategy. As the regulatory landscape evolves, the approval of spot Ether ETFs could become a pivotal issue in the upcoming elections, potentially shaping the future of cryptocurrency investments in the US.