Bitget CEO: Vanguard’s Bitcoin ETF Backing Signals Market’s Structural Shift

• Bitget CEO Gracy Chen says Bitcoin has solidified its standing in mainstream finance, as its critic, Vanguard, has finally embraced it on its platform.
• She projects BTC’s new all-time high coming by next year, with $150K on her crosshairs.

Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget, recently shared her insights on Vanguard’s shift in sentiment toward crypto products, particularly Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds (ETFs). She sees the pivot ushering in the new era of institutional adoption.

Vanguard Support Reinforces Bitcoin and Crypto’s Entry to Mainstream Finance

Chen told Blockzeit that Vanguard favoring the entry of Bitcoin ETF on its platform is “one of the clearest signs yet that digital assets have crossed into mainstream finance.” She said that the switch from outright resistance in 2024 to generating over $1 billion in trading volume within the first 30 minutes of offering the investment product signals not just demand but inevitability.

The CEO of one of the fastest-growing crypto trading platforms in the world highlighted that when a firm overseeing $11.9 trillion in assets makes such a pivot, it reshapes industry perception overnight. It paves the way for other major asset managers to accelerate their digital asset strategies.

ADVERTISEMENTFor Chen, Vanguard’s move represents a structural shift. It indicates a broader institutional acceptance, attracting deeper liquidity and a stronger foundation for long-term price stability.

From Resistance to Acceptance

Vanguard, one of the world’s largest investment companies with $11 trillion in assets under management (AUM), was previously adamant about offering crypto products to its clients. It kept its stance even with the successful launches of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum (ETH) ETFs last year.

In fact, Vanguard called Bitcoin “an immature asset class that has little history, no inherent economic value, no cash flow, and can create havoc within a portfolio” when explaining why it won’t allow Bitcoin ETFs on its platform. However, it eventually changed its tone in September last year.

ADVERTISEMENTVanguard’s resistance began to crack when news leaked that it was considering adding third-party crypto ETFs to its clients’ investment portfolios. The source cited growing customer demand and regulatory progress as reasons for its new position. Despite that, the company’s CEO, Salim Ramji, notably dodged answering questions when the media asked him about it.

Fast-forward to December 2, and Vanguard has finally opened its platform to crypto ETFs tracking Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana (SOL). Andrew Kadjeski, Principal and Head of Brokerage & Investments at Vanguard, commented that it’s to address clients’ “diverse needs and risk profiles” and to give them more options for their investment portfolio.

What This Means for Bitcoin

Chen believes Bitcoin is positioned for a strong rebound from current levels. She projected that its building momentum is clearing the path toward an all-time high of $150,000 per BTC by mid-2026. Backing this up are rising institutional flows and further regulatory milestones in the crypto space.

“Vanguard’s entry doesn’t just validate the asset class, it unlocks the next chapter of global accessibility and innovation across ETFs, structured products, and retirement portfolios,” Chen concluded. “For the crypto industry, this development is a boon, paving the way for innovative financial products and greater global accessibility.”

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