📌 Article Summary
Vanguard and Bank of America are expanding crypto investment access for clients in January as the FDIC launches GENIUS Act rulemaking. The developments reflect growing institutional acceptance of digital assets within regulated financial systems.
🏦 Institutional Crypto Access Expands in January
Major U.S. financial institutions are set to widen access to digital assets beginning in January, as regulatory momentum builds around the GENIUS Act. Vanguard and Bank of America are both opening new wealth-management channels tied to crypto exposure, reflecting accelerating institutional normalization of digital assets within regulated frameworks.
📊 Vanguard Reverses Policy on Bitcoin ETFs
Vanguard has confirmed it will allow access to spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds across its advisory and brokerage platforms, reversing a long-standing restriction on crypto-related products. The decision potentially opens regulated Bitcoin exposure to approximately 50 million clients, signaling a strategic shift toward meeting investor demand for compliant digital asset investments.
🏛️ Bank of America Authorizes Advisor Crypto Allocations
Bank of America is also moving forward with expanded crypto guidance for its advisory network. Beginning in early January, BofA advisors will be permitted to recommend limited cryptocurrency allocations—generally between 1% and 4% of client portfolios—based on suitability, risk tolerance, and investment objectives. The policy integrates crypto into conventional portfolio construction rather than treating it as a fringe asset class.
🏦 FDIC Launches GENIUS Act Rulemaking Process
On the regulatory front, Washington has formally started the clock on bank-issued digital dollars under the GENIUS Act. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has initiated early-stage rulemaking aimed at defining standards for stablecoin issuance, custody, and oversight by insured depository institutions. The framework is expected to address capital requirements, liquidity safeguards, and consumer protections.
⏳₿ 2026 Timeline Draws Market Attention
Regulatory timelines associated with the GENIUS Act extend into 2026, a period analysts note could align with structural shifts in Bitcoin markets following the halving cycle. While regulators have not signaled market implications, the convergence of clearer rules and broader institutional distribution is viewed as structurally supportive for long-term adoption.
🔗🌐 Traditional Finance and Crypto Continue to Converge
Together, these developments underscore a broader transformation underway in U.S. finance, as legacy institutions and regulators move in parallel to integrate digital assets into the mainstream financial system.
🔎 Editorial Note
While Bank of America has not published a dedicated press release exclusively titled around “crypto allocation” on its official newsroom site at this exact time, the shift in advisory guidance has been widely reported by major financial news services such as Reuters, The Block, and regional outlets—which are considered reliable primary sources for journalism and validation of corporate policy changes.
⚖️ Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Digital News & Investigative Reports (DNIR) does not provide personalized investment recommendations.
