Vanguard's Policy Reversal Reshapes Institutional Landscape
A wave of excitement is sweeping through crypto circles after Vanguard made a dramatic reversal of its long-standing anti-crypto approach. The $11 trillion asset manager now allows tens of millions of its customers to trade spot Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana ETFs, instantly transforming access for a massive portion of U.S. retail investors.
The move comes just as Ethereum prepares for its Fusaka upgrade, expected to improve speed and scalability across the network. Liquidity also continues to rise, with Tether minting $1 billion on Tron in a single issuance that sparked renewed attention toward stablecoin inflows.
Bank of America Opens the Door to Bitcoin Allocations
One of the other major talking points is Bank of America’s new guidance for wealth advisers, who will soon be permitted to recommend a 1%-4% allocation to Bitcoin and other digital assets.
This shift, beginning in January 2026, marks the first time the bank has formally endorsed crypto exposure within its high-net-worth portfolios. After years of caution across traditional finance, the move reinforces a growing trend: institutional hesitation is giving way to open support.
Fresh Debate Surrounds Saylor and Year-End Bitcoin Outlook
Michael Saylor’s strategy attracted renewed attention after Tidal Investments revealed a $60 million purchase of 351,619 MSTR shares. The disclosure reignited debate over whether Saylor is quietly trimming his exposure while publicly maintaining a “never sell Bitcoin” stance.
Meanwhile, Grayscale predicts that Bitcoin could break free from its traditional four-year cycle and potentially hit new highs in 2026, supported by institutional inflows and expectations of rate cuts. Trump’s mention of Kevin Hassett as a potential future Fed Chair is adding another layer of macro uncertainty as markets evaluate the policy implications.
SEC’s Innovation Exemption Signals Regulatory Shift
Regulation also climbed into the top trending topics after SEC Chair Paul Atkins confirmed a new crypto innovation exemption launching in January 2026. The framework will allow qualified firms to test tokenized financial products and early-stage DeFi services with fewer compliance obstacles. Paired with Trump’s messaging around monetary policy flexibility, many investors view the announcement as a potential turning point toward a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment.
Crypto discussions have surged across social channels as institutions change course, policymakers hint at major shifts, and macro dynamics collide with digital-asset momentum. The year may be nearing its close, but market attention is only intensifying.