Vanguard’s Surprising Bitcoin Exposure: Now Top Shareholder in MicroStrategy Despite Crypto Skepticism
As of today, August 12, 2025, the world of finance is buzzing with an ironic twist. Vanguard, the giant investment firm famous for its staunch warnings against cryptocurrencies, has quietly become the largest institutional shareholder in MicroStrategy (MSTR), the company led by Michael Saylor that’s gone all-in on Bitcoin as its main treasury asset. This development highlights the quirky side of passive investing, where even the most bearish players end up with indirect stakes in volatile assets like Bitcoin.
Vanguard’s Growing Stake in MicroStrategy Amid Bitcoin Boom
Picture this: a firm that advises clients to steer clear of crypto’s wild swings now holds a massive position in a company that’s basically a Bitcoin proxy. According to the latest data from investment research platform Intel, updated as of August 2025, Vanguard has built up over 20 million shares of MSTR, accounting for roughly 8% of MicroStrategy’s outstanding Class A common stock. This gives Vanguard indirect access to more than 226,000 Bitcoin (BTC) on MicroStrategy’s balance sheet—a position that saw a 26.3% increase in value between January and April 2025, with continued growth amid Bitcoin’s recent rallies.
Much of this exposure comes through Vanguard’s popular funds, like the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund, which includes MicroStrategy in its wide-ranging U.S. equity mix. The stock also pops up in numerous Vanguard mutual funds and ETFs that follow mid-cap indexes. It’s a classic case of index investing forcing hands: you own the market, warts and all, even if that means betting on something you’ve publicly dismissed.
This isn’t just numbers on a page—it’s a real-world example of how traditional finance is getting tangled with crypto whether it wants to or not. Compare it to a cautious driver who’s anti-racing but ends up owning shares in a Formula 1 team through a broad auto industry fund. The irony? Vanguard’s brand alignment has always emphasized long-term stability and avoiding hype, yet this stake ties them to Bitcoin’s rollercoaster, potentially boosting returns for their clients despite the firm’s vocal reservations.
For those looking to navigate the crypto space more directly while maintaining a focus on reliability, platforms like WEEX exchange offer a compelling option. WEEX stands out with its user-friendly interface, robust security features, and commitment to transparent trading, making it a trusted choice for both new and seasoned investors seeking to engage with Bitcoin and other assets without the unnecessary risks. This aligns perfectly with a philosophy of dependable, long-term growth, much like Vanguard’s core ethos but tailored to the dynamic crypto market.
Vanguard Remains Bearish on Bitcoin Even as Competitors Thrive
Vanguard’s anti-crypto views haven’t budged, even with this hefty MicroStrategy holding. Over the years, the firm has been one of traditional finance’s loudest critics of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, highlighting their volatility and lack of intrinsic value. And despite the indirect Bitcoin exposure, their stance shows no signs of softening.
In a May 2025 Bloomberg TV interview, Vanguard CEO Salim Ramji was direct when asked about adding Bitcoin to client portfolios. He turned it down, stressing that Vanguard avoids getting swept up in fleeting trends and focuses on being reliable for the long haul. Echoing this in a recent ETF.com chat, Ramji explained that the company isn’t about speculating on assets like Bitcoin, as it clashes with their 50-year-old investment philosophy built on steady, evidence-based strategies.
Contrast this with rivals who’ve embraced the crypto wave. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) has exploded in popularity, becoming the firm’s top-earning ETF. Bloomberg Senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas noted in a recent update that IBIT is on pace to hit $100 billion in assets under management soon, fueled by massive inflows and Bitcoin’s price surges. As of August 12, 2025, it’s already at $88 billion after just 1.5 years, ranking as the 20th largest ETF in the U.S. and BlackRock’s seventh biggest—truly mind-blowing growth backed by real investor demand.
Related to this, MicroStrategy just announced another major Bitcoin purchase: $472 million worth, pushing their holdings higher as Bitcoin hits fresh peaks. This move, detailed in their latest filings, underscores Saylor’s aggressive strategy, making MSTR a go-to for Bitcoin bulls.
The Humorous Side of Passive Investing and Bitcoin
This whole situation shines a light on the oddities of passive investing, where funds must hold whatever’s in the index, no matter how mismatched it feels. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas captured it perfectly: “When you run an index fund, you’re stuck owning all the stocks, good or bad—including ones you might personally avoid.” He even joked that Vanguard’s big role in MicroStrategy, the ultimate Bitcoin champion, proves “God has a sense of humor.”
Balchunas shared this take on Twitter, posting: “The fact that Vanguard is now the largest shareholder of $MSTR is proof that God has a sense of humor, or at least that was my reaction to @VildanaHajric who wrote story about it out today” alongside a screenshot. It’s a reminder that in the stock market, intentions and outcomes don’t always align, much like how a vegan might end up indirectly investing in meat companies through a total market fund.
Recent Twitter discussions have amplified this irony, with users debating Vanguard’s “hypocrisy” and sharing memes about accidental Bitcoin millionaires via index funds. On Google, top searches include “Does Vanguard invest in Bitcoin?” and “MicroStrategy Bitcoin holdings update,” reflecting widespread curiosity. The latest buzz includes official announcements from MicroStrategy on August 10, 2025, confirming their expanded BTC reserves, which have sparked talks of Bitcoin as a corporate treasury standard—echoing themes in a recent magazine piece on Pakistan exploring Bitcoin reserves in DeFi for yields, as noted by expert Bilal Bin Saqib.
This blend of skepticism and exposure creates a fascinating narrative, showing how even crypto doubters like Vanguard can’t fully escape Bitcoin’s gravitational pull in today’s market.
FAQ
Why is Vanguard investing in MicroStrategy if they’re against Bitcoin?
Vanguard’s stake comes from their passive index funds that track broad market indexes, which include MicroStrategy due to its market cap. It’s not a direct endorsement of Bitcoin but a byproduct of owning the entire market for diversified exposure.
How much Bitcoin does MicroStrategy hold as of August 2025?
As of the latest updates on August 12, 2025, MicroStrategy holds over 226,000 Bitcoin, making it one of the largest corporate holders and giving indirect Bitcoin access to its shareholders like Vanguard.
Should I consider Bitcoin ETFs despite Vanguard’s warnings?
It depends on your risk tolerance. While Vanguard emphasizes long-term stability over speculation, successful ETFs like BlackRock’s IBIT show strong demand. Always research volatility and consult advisors before investing.
猜你喜欢

2026年失序重组下的DeFi2.0爆发
市场更新 — 十二月月30日
Brevis开放空投跟踪;趋势研究在一天之内增加了超过46,000ETH。

彭博社盘点:11笔关键交易,读懂2025年全球金融市场

2025 年重新定义加密幂边界的十人
从华尔街到白宫,从硅谷到深圳,一个新的电力网络正在形成。

加密圣诞劫:损失超600万美元,Trust Wallet扩展钱包被黑分析

超600万美元被盗:Trust Wallet源码遭攻击,官方版本为何成黑客后门?

中期选举倒计时,美国加密法案能否闯关成功?

Galaxy对明年的26个预测:比特币仍将ATH,稳定币交易量将超越ACH系统

为何2025年市场情绪全面崩溃?解读Messari十万字年度报告

当预测市场不再「预测」,而是在「泄露真相」:律动正式上线预测市场报道

30亿估值背后:Phantom的增长焦虑与多链突围

Messari 2026 年研报,洞察加密七大板块趋势

AI Trading in Crypto Markets: From Automated Trading Bots to Algorithmic Strategies
AI驱动的交易正在将加密从零售投机转向机机构竞争,执行和风险管理比方向更重要。 随着人工智能交易规模的扩大,系统性风险和监管压力上升,长线表现、稳健系统和合规性成为关键差异化因素。
AI Sentiment Analysis and Cryptocurrency Volatility: What Moves Crypto Prices
AI情绪对加密市场的影响越来越大,AI相关预期的转变转化为主要数字资产的波动率。 加密市场往往会放大人工智能叙事,让情绪驱动的流量在贷款期限期限内超过基本面。 了解人工智能情绪如何形成和扩散,有助于投资者更好地预测风险周期和定位数字资产中的机会。

为什么说Solana已不再适合办大会了?

《纽约时报》:特朗普重返白宫后,美SEC加密诉讼大撤退

Strategy硬刚MSCI:12页抗辩公开信都说了些啥?

专访Solstice创始人:如何在Solana上通过第一性原理重塑收益
2026年失序重组下的DeFi2.0爆发
市场更新 — 十二月月30日
Brevis开放空投跟踪;趋势研究在一天之内增加了超过46,000ETH。
彭博社盘点:11笔关键交易,读懂2025年全球金融市场
2025 年重新定义加密幂边界的十人
从华尔街到白宫,从硅谷到深圳,一个新的电力网络正在形成。