Nikolas Sargeant
Ramji's departure from BlackRock in January 2024 marked the end of a tenure where he oversaw a significant portion of the firm's client assets and spearheaded the development of the iShares platform. Notably, he played a pivotal role in launching BlackRock's first spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund for retail investors. Vanguard, the second largest asset management firm, eagerly anticipates his leadership.
Commenting on Ramji's appointment, Bloomberg Intelligence senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas highlighted his involvement in the IBIT ETF and his interest in digital assets. However, Vanguard maintains its stance against cryptocurrencies.
Vanguard’s Anti Crypto Stance
Before joining BlackRock, Ramji served as a senior partner at McKinsey, specializing in asset and wealth management. He commenced his career as a lawyer at Clifford Chance in London and Hong Kong.
Tim Buckley commended Ramji's commitment to individual investors and fiduciary ethos, aligning with Vanguard's client-centric values. Ramji expressed confidence in navigating the changing investor landscape and furthering Vanguard's mission.
Despite industry excitement surrounding Bitcoin ETFs, Vanguard remains resolute in its decision not to offer crypto-related products. Janel Jackson, Vanguard's head of ETF Capital Markets, reiterated the firm's focus on enduring investment merit and client needs over short-term cryptocurrency trends.
