Published: Dec 05, 2025 at 15:43
The dramatic surge was attributed to the world’s second-largest asset manager, Vanguard Group, reversing its long-standing ban on trading crypto Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs).
The cryptocurrency market experienced a massive, unanticipated rally on December 3rd, with Bitcoin (BTC) smashing through the $93,000 level and the total crypto market capitalization adding over $200 billion in value within 36 hours.
The “Vanguard Effect” and institutional green light
Vanguard, which had previously held a staunch anti-crypto stance, citing it as “speculative” and unfit for long-term portfolios, announced it would now allow its clients to trade various Spot Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP ETFs on its platform. This reversal effectively opened the gates for millions of conservative retail and institutional investors to gain exposure to digital assets through one of the most trusted names in passive investing.
The “Vanguard Effect” was immediately amplified by other major financial institutions:
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Bank of America’s Merrill Lynch followed suit by allowing over 15,000 of its financial advisors to recommend a small (1% to 4%) allocation to crypto ETFs for suitable wealth management clients. -
BlackRock’s IBIT ETF recorded one of its highest trading volumes to date, crossing the $1 billion mark in a single day.
Market mechanics
The sudden, unexpected institutional buying pressure, combined with forced buying from short-sellers, triggered the liquidation of over $360 million in leveraged short positions. This short squeeze further accelerated BTC’s price past key resistance levels, driving Ethereum (ETH) above $3,000 and boosting other major altcoins.
The news signifies the final collapse of the traditional finance industry’s resistance to crypto, confirming that the asset class is now firmly entrenched in the mainstream investment ecosystem.
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