${\mathrm{Cr}}_2{\mathrm{Ge}}_2{\mathrm{Te}}_6$ is a van der Waals ferromagnet with a Curie temperature at 66 K. Here we report a swift change in the magnetic ground state upon application of small DC electric current; a giant yet anisotropic magnetoelectric effect; and a sharp, lattice-driven quantum switching manifested in the $I\text{−}V$ characteristic of the bulk single-crystal ${\mathrm{Cr}}_2{\mathrm{Ge}}_2{\mathrm{Te}}_6$. At the heart of these observed phenomena is a strongly anisotropic magnetoelastic coupling that enables strongly anisotropic responses of the lattice to application of electric current and/or magnetic field, which explains the exotic phenomena in ${\mathrm{Cr}}_2{\mathrm{Ge}}_2{\mathrm{Te}}_6$. Such a rare mechanical tunability in the magnetic semiconductors promises tantalizing prospects for unique functional materials and devices.

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• Dielectric properties
• Electrical properties
• Magnetoelastic effect
• Structural properties
• Ferromagnets
• Magnetic semiconductors
• van der Waals systems