Related Questions

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?

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)?].

What Is Stellar (XLM)? A Guide to the Cross-Border Payments Crypto

In a world where sending a simple bank wire across borders can take days and cost a small fortune, a project came along with a radical idea: what if moving money was as fast, cheap, and easy as sending an email?

That is the core mission of Stellar, and its native cryptocurrency, Lumens (XLM).

If you've heard of xlm crypto but aren't quite sure what it does or why it matters, this guide is for you. We'll break down its purpose, its technology, and its unique place in the crypto ecosystem.

What Problem Is Stellar Trying to Solve?

The simple answer: friction in the financial world. Stellar was co-founded by Jed McCaleb (who also co-founded Ripple) to create an open, decentralized network that could connect all the world's different financial systems.

The goal is to allow anyone to create a digital representation (a "token") of any currency—like a US Dollar or a Nigerian Naira—and send it across the network in seconds for a fraction of a penny.

How Does Stellar Work? Key Features

Stellar isn't a Bitcoin competitor; it's a payments protocol. Here's what makes it tick:

• Speed and Cost: Transactions on the Stellar network confirm in about 3-5 seconds, and the fee is a microscopic 0.00001 XLM. This makes it ideal for micropayments and cross-border remittances.
• Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP): Unlike Bitcoin's power-hungry mining, Stellar uses a unique, energy-efficient consensus model. A select group of trusted nodes "vote" to validate transactions, making the process incredibly fast.
• Anchors: This is a crucial concept. Anchors are trusted entities (like banks or payment processors) that act as the on-ramps and off-ramps between traditional currencies and the Stellar network. They hold the fiat currency and issue the equivalent digital token on the network.

Real-world example?Stellar power remittances, like sending aid to crisis zones via Stellar Aid Assist. Big players like MoneyGram and IBM use it for cross-border payments, and PayPal’s eyeing Stellar for its PYUSD stablecoin. That’s a big deal—it’s not just crypto hype; it’s real people moving money.

How is Stellar (XLM) Different from Ripple (XRP)?

This is the most common question, and a vital one for any investor. While they share a co-founder and a similar goal, their approach is different.

• Target Audience: Ripple and XRP primarily focus on providing solutions for large banks and financial institutions. Stellar is a non-profit and focuses more on financial inclusion for individuals and emerging markets.
• Decentralization: Stellar is generally considered to be more open and decentralized than the Ripple network.

This is a deep topic, and if you want to understand the nuances, [Read our full guide: The Core Differences Between XLM and XRP].

How to Get Started with Stellar

1. Choose a Wallet: Use wallets like Lobstr, Keybase, or hardware wallets (e.g., Ledger) to store XLM.
2. Buy XLM: Purchase on exchanges like Coinbase, Binance, or BYDFi.
3. Send Payments: Use Stellar-based apps (e.g., StellarTerm) to transfer XLM or tokenized assets.
4. Research Anchors: Check for trusted anchors in your region to convert fiat to digital assets.Pro Tip: Always verify the security of wallets and exchanges. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect your funds.

Is It a Good Investment? Risks and Considerations

• The Bull Case: Stellar is tackling a massive, real-world problem with proven, efficient technology and is backed by the non-profit Stellar Development Foundation (SDF).
• The Bear Case: It faces immense competition, not just from Ripple, but from emerging central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and other payment-focused projects. Its success depends entirely on network adoption.

Your Next Step

Understanding Stellar (XLM) means understanding a vision for a more connected and equitable global financial system. It's a project with clear utility and a distinct philosophy.

Ready to add a leading payments-focused asset to your portfolio? You can acquire XLM securely and with low fees on the BYDFi spot market.

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.