Harvard Invests $116.7 Million in BlackRock’s Spot Bitcoin ETF

Harvard University has disclosed a major move into digital assets, allocating approximately $116,666,260 to BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) by the end of Q2 2025. The investment surpasses the value of the institution’s holdings in some of its top traditional equity positions, signaling a growing embrace of cryptocurrency within elite academic endowments.

Institutional Validation for Bitcoin

By choosing a spot Bitcoin ETF, Harvard gains direct exposure to Bitcoin through a regulated investment vehicle, avoiding the complexities of self-custody. This follows similar, though smaller, moves by other universities, such as Brown University, which previously disclosed a $5 million position in IBIT.

Strategic Portfolio Diversification

Harvard’s endowment, one of the largest in the world, has traditionally focused on equities, fixed income, private equity, and real assets. The allocation to Bitcoin marks a shift toward digital asset integration as part of a long-term diversification strategy.

Market Impact

Large-scale entries by prestigious institutions can enhance market confidence, potentially driving higher inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs. For Bitcoin, this type of adoption by reputable, long-term investors adds weight to its status as a viable store of value.

Source: The Block, Bitget