Harvard Bitcoin Investment Hits $116M via BlackRock ETF

Bitcoin has officially entered one of the most prestigious portfolios in the world — Harvard University’s endowment. In a recent SEC filing, Harvard revealed that it now holds around $116 million in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). This is a bold step for the $53 billion fund that finances much of the university’s operations.

A Top Five Investment for Harvard

This isn’t just a small test. Harvard’s Bitcoin ETF stake — about 1.9 million shares — has become one of its top five holdings. It now sits alongside big names like Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Booking Holdings.

Even more striking, the Bitcoin stake is larger than Harvard’s position in Alphabet, Google’s parent company. That shows the university’s growing confidence in Bitcoin as a long-term asset.

Why Harvard Chose a Bitcoin ETF

Instead of buying Bitcoin directly, Harvard decided to invest through BlackRock’s ETF. This approach offers several advantages.

With an ETF, the university avoids handling crypto wallets and private keys. It can also trade easily in a regulated environment. This gives Harvard Bitcoin exposure without the technical risks and storage challenges that come with owning the asset directly. For a large and conservative institution, this is the most practical way to enter the market.

Ivy League Trend: Harvard Isn’t Alone

Harvard’s move fits into a wider trend among elite universities. Brown University also reported holding over $13 million worth of IBIT in the same quarter.

For years, many institutions viewed Bitcoin as too volatile. However, the growing presence of digital assets in Ivy League portfolios suggests that this view is changing fast. The shift shows how Bitcoin is gaining credibility among traditional investors.

What This Means for Bitcoin

Institutional investment often signals that an asset is maturing. When large funds like Harvard’s step in, the rest of the financial world tends to take notice.

Since U.S. regulators approved spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust has turned into a favourite entry point for big investors. Billions of dollars have poured in, giving Bitcoin a stronger place in the mainstream financial world.

Balancing Bitcoin with Other Assets

Harvard’s Bitcoin investment came alongside other major portfolio changes. The university also picked up more than $100 million worth of shares in the SPDR Gold Trust. At the same time, it trimmed its investments in Apple, Amazon, and Tesla.

This shows a clear plan — spread the money across assets like gold and Bitcoin. Many investors turn to these “stores of value” when the economy feels shaky. 

The Bottom Line

Harvard’s $116 million Bitcoin investment is more than a headline — it’s a sign of a changing financial landscape. A regulated ETF made the move possible, and other institutions are likely to follow.

If Ivy League endowments are joining the Bitcoin wave, then digital assets may have truly crossed into the financial mainstream.