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Bitcoin vs. Vanguard: Can You Really Invest?

Bitcoin and Vanguard: What’s Really Happening

Bitcoin. You can’t escape it. One day it’s hitting crazy highs, the next it’s plunging, and somehow people are still obsessed. So, naturally, everyone asks:  Can I buy Bitcoin on Vanguard?  or  Is there a Vanguard Bitcoin ETF?

It’s easy to understand why. One of the most reputable brands in investing is Vanguard. People depend on it for affordable funds, sound retirement planning, and long-term growth and safety-focused strategies. It would feel like a huge endorsement for cryptocurrency if Vanguard ever issued a Bitcoin ETF. The problem is that, as of August 2025, that hasn't occurred.

The True Significance of a Bitcoin ETF

In essence, a Bitcoin ETF is a way to invest in Bitcoin without having to hold the actual currency. You don't have to worry about hackers, set up a wallet, or remember lengthy private keys. As with stocks, you simply purchase shares.

ETFs make crypto accessible for everyone, not just the tech-savvy or risk-takers. And they act as a bridge between the traditional stock world and this wild digital frontier.

Why Vanguard Is Hesitant

First, regulation matters. The SEC has strict rules about crypto ETFs, especially ones that hold Bitcoin directly. Vanguard prefers to wait until the rules are clear.

Second, philosophy matters. Vanguard was built on Jack Bogle’s principles: safe, diversified, long-term investing. Bitcoin’s crazy swings—from nearly $69,000 in 2021 to $16,000 in 2022—just don’t match that approach.

Third, investor protection is key. Vanguard doesn’t want to put clients’ money into something so speculative. They’d rather give you ways to benefit indirectly than risk your portfolio on extreme volatility.

Can You Buy Bitcoin on Vanguard?

Does Stellar (XLM) Have a Good Future?

It's the multi-million dollar question that every investor asks before committing capital to an asset: "Does this project actually have a good future?"

For Stellar (XLM), a project with ambitious goals and proven technology, this question is particularly relevant. You've likely seen the passionate community and the promises of a new global financial system. But as a rational investor, you need more than promises. You need a balanced analysis.

I won't give you a simple "yes" or "no." Instead, I'll provide you with a structured framework—the bull case versus the bear case—to help you analyze Stellar's future for yourself.

The Bull Case: The Argument for a Bright Future

The supporters of Stellar point to several powerful, fundamental strengths that could drive its long-term success.

• It Solves a Real, Massive Problem: Cross-border payments are notoriously slow, expensive, and inefficient. Stellar's core technology is a direct solution to this, offering near-instant, virtually free transactions. This isn't a theoretical use case; it's a real-world utility.
• A Clear, Noble Mission: As a non-profit, the Stellar Development Foundation's focus on financial inclusion gives it a strong identity and purpose. This mission to bank the unbanked and connect emerging markets is a powerful narrative that can attract long-term support and partnerships.
• Proven Technology and Partnerships: Stellar isn't a new, untested project. The network has been running reliably for years. Furthermore, it has secured major partnerships with companies like MoneyGram International, demonstrating real-world adoption.
• Eco-Friendly and Efficient: Unlike Bitcoin, the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP) uses a tiny fraction of the energy, making it a "green" and sustainable choice for the future of finance.

The Bear Case: The Challenges and Headwinds Ahead

On the other hand, critics and skeptics highlight several significant hurdles that could limit Stellar's potential.

1.  Intense Competition: This is arguably the biggest challenge. Stellar is competing in an incredibly crowded space.

• Direct Rivals: It faces a head-on battle with Ripple (XRP), which has a strong foothold in the institutional market.
• Stablecoins: The rise of stablecoins like USDC and USDT on various blockchains already provides a way to move dollar-value instantly.
• CBDCs: As central banks develop their own digital currencies, they could potentially build their own settlement networks, bypassing projects like Stellar.

2.  The Challenge of Network Adoption: A payment network is only as valuable as the number of people and institutions that use it. While Stellar has strong technology, achieving mass global adoption is a monumental task that requires overcoming regulatory hurdles and convincing millions to switch from legacy systems.

3.  Historically Subdued Price Action: For all its technical merits, long-term holders of XLM have sometimes been frustrated by its price performance compared to other top crypto assets. While past performance is not indicative of future results, it's a factor that weighs on investor sentiment.

Conclusion: How to Frame Your Decision

So, does XLM have a good future? The answer depends on which of these arguments you find more compelling.

• Believing in XLM is a bet that its open, non-profit, and grassroots approach to solving the global payments problem will win out in the long run.
• Being skeptical of XLM is a bet that the intense competition from corporate giants, stablecoins, and central banks will make it difficult to achieve the mass adoption needed for a breakout success.

Now that you have the framework to analyze both sides of the coin, you are better equipped to make a decision that aligns with your own research and investment.

XLM vs. XRP: What's the Real Difference?

If you're researching digital payment protocols, you've inevitably encountered the two giants of the space: Stellar (XLM) and Ripple (XRP). On the surface, they seem almost identical. They share a co-founder, boast near-instant transaction speeds, and aim to revolutionize cross-border payments.

This similarity leads to one of the most common questions in crypto: "What is the actual difference between XLM and XRP?"

The answer is more profound than you might think. They are built on fundamentally different philosophies. As your expert guide, let's settle the debate and give you the clarity you need to evaluate them.

The Core Differences: A Head-to-Head Comparison

The quickest way to see the distinction is to compare them directly.

What These Differences Mean

Let's unpack the two most important distinctions.

1. The Mission: Non-Profit vs. For-ProfitThis is the heart of the matter. The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) is a non-profit organization. Its stated mission is to create equitable access to the global financial system. They are building an open network for everyone.

Ripple Labs, on the other hand, is a for-profit company. Its primary goal is to sell its software solutions (like RippleNet) to banks and large institutions to make their existing systems more efficient.

2. The Approach: Grassroots vs. CorporateBecause of their different missions, their approaches diverge.

• Stellar (XLM) is building a public utility. They want developers and small businesses to build new financial products on top of the Stellar network. Think of it like an open highway for money.
• Ripple (XRP) is selling a corporate product. They are going directly to the world's biggest banks and offering them a better, faster settlement layer. Think of it as building a private toll road for the financial industry.

Is XLM or XRP a better investment?

This is the question every trader wants answered. As an analyst, I won't give you a direct "buy" or "sell" recommendation. Instead, I'll give you a framework for your own decision.

• An investment in XLM is a bet on an open, permissionless future. You are investing in the idea that a decentralized, grassroots network will eventually become the standard for global payments, empowering individuals and small players.
• An investment in XRP is a bet on the evolution of the current system. You are investing in the idea that the world's existing financial giants will adopt Ripple's technology to upgrade their infrastructure.

They are two very different bets on how the future will unfold.

Conclusion: Similar Tech, Different Souls

While XLM and XRP share a similar technological foundation, their souls are different. One is a non-profit project for the people; the other is a corporate solution for the banks.

Now that you understand the core differences between these two payment powerhouses, you can make a more informed decision about which vision aligns with your investment thesis. To learn more about the foundational technology, you can [Read our complete guide: What is Stellar (XLM)?].

Toncoin (TON) Listed on Robinhood Ahead of Coinbase

Robinhood just listed Toncoin ($TON) for U.S. traders, beating Coinbase to the punch. Given TON's deep ties to Telegram's 900 million+ user base, is it really a game-changer, or just another coin getting temporary hype?

The 5 Biggest Crypto Heists in History: Case Studies for Investors

Cryptocurrency heists have rocked the digital world, exposing vulnerabilities in even the most advanced systems. Here’s a concise look at the largest crypto thefts to date, highlighting key incidents and lessons for investors.

1. Bybit Hack (2025) – $1.46 Billion

In February 2025, Dubai-based exchange Bybit suffered the largest crypto heist ever, losing 400,000 ETH from its cold wallet. Hackers, allegedly North Korea’s Lazarus Group, exploited a transfer to a warm wallet using a sophisticated attack on the signing interface. Bybit’s CEO assured solvency, but only a fraction of funds have been traced.

2. Ronin Network (2022) – $625 Million

The Ronin Network, linked to Axie Infinity, lost 173,600 ETH and 25.5 million USDC in March 2022. Hackers, tied to Lazarus Group, compromised private keys via social engineering. Binance recovered $5.8 million, but most funds remain unrecovered, exposing blockchain gaming vulnerabilities.

3. Poly Network (2021) – $611

MillionA lone hacker exploited a vulnerability in Poly Network’s DeFi platform, stealing $611 million. Surprisingly, the hacker returned nearly all funds, claiming it was a “white hat” act to expose flaws. This incident underscored DeFi’s potential but also its risks.

4. Binance BNB Bridge (2022) – $570 Million

In October 2022, hackers targeted Binance’s BSC Token Hub, draining 2 billion BNB tokens. Quick action froze most funds, limiting losses to $100 million. The attack highlighted cross-chain bridge weaknesses.

5. Coincheck (2018) – $534

MillionTokyo-based Coincheck lost $534 million in NEM coins due to a hot wallet breach. The hack, one of the earliest major thefts, led to tighter regulations in Japan after hackers used phishing and malware.

What These Heists Teach Us

As you can see, these events aren't random. They are targeted attacks on specific vulnerabilities. The recurring themes—compromised private keys, smart contract bugs, and bridge exploits—are the very things we break down in our main security guide.

[Read our full guide to understand the core methods behind these attacks: Crypto Heists: How Do They Keep Happening?]

In almost all of these cases, the stolen funds were moved through mixers and never seen again.

[Learn more about why recovery is so difficult: Crypto Heists: Can Stolen Crypto Be Recovered?]

Your best strategy is to learn from these billion-dollar mistakes. Use secure platforms for trading, move long-term holdings to hardware wallets, and be incredibly cautious when interacting with new DeFi protocols.