Harvard invests $116.6M in BlackRock Bitcoin ETF, marking a major step in institutional crypto adoption and portfolio diversification.
In a groundbreaking move that signals the growing acceptance of cryptocurrency in institutional finance, Harvard University’s endowment fund has invested $116.6 million in BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). This investment was revealed in a regulatory filing on August 8, 2025. The investment is under the Harvard University endowment of 50 billion dollars. It is a large milestone in the mainstream adoption of digital assets. Including Bitcoin among its best assets, Harvard is increasingly believing in cryptocurrency as a significant form of investment.
Harvard Makes Bitcoin ETF Fifth-Largest Holding
The disclosure, which was made at the end of the second quarter, reveals that Harvard has invested in BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which is its fifth-largest investment, ahead of its investment in Alphabet, which is the parent company of Google, at $113.8 million.
Such a radical investment in Bitcoin underscores the university’s confidence in the long-term potential of crypto, despite the asset class’s historical volatility. The endowment of Harvard, which is run by the Harvard Management Company (HMC), has a rich legacy of diversified and innovative investments, and this decision further gives it credibility as a leader in institutional finance.
Harvard began its Bitcoin venture in 2021 with a \$10 million investment in a crypto hedge fund, marking its first step into digital investments. Over time, the Harvard Management Company (HMC) maintained some exposure to crypto funds in its portfolio. However, the recent $116.6 million investment in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF represents a much larger and more decisive move. This step signals a transition toward viewing Bitcoin as a more mature and established asset class.
Due to low fees and strong infrastructure, BlackRock IBIT, which was launched in January 2024, has become a leader in the spot Bitcoin ETF market with assets under management worth more than 20 billion dollars by mid-2025.
The decision to invest heavily in Bitcoin aligns with Harvard’s strategy of balancing risk and reward. The endowment still holds a lot of value in conventional assets such as Microsoft ($150 million) and Amazon ($130 million), but the fact that the Bitcoin ETF is ranked among the top ten indicates a new set of priorities.
Related Reading: BlackRock Bitcoin Fund Faces $292M Outflow Amid Market Cooldown
Bitcoin ETF Seen as Future of Finance in Harvard’s Portfolio
Analysts say Harvard Management Company views Bitcoin as both an inflation hedge and a store of value. They believe it can help protect wealth during uncertain economic times. Institutional interest has also grown because Bitcoin’s price has stabilized. In August 2025, it held steady at around $60,000. This marks a sharp contrast to the extreme price swings seen in earlier years.
The trend towards the adoption of digital assets at universities is also noted in this investment. Recently, we have also seen lower holdings of Bitcoin ETF by Yale and Stanford, but the $116.6 million stake that Harvard has listed is one of the largest stakes by an endowment university to date. The step has generated debate in both the academic and financial communities. Many people applaud Harvard’s future-oriented approach, while others warn about the risks of cryptocurrency exposure.
This news shows students and alumni that Harvard is committed to innovation. The university aims to expand its endowment to support scholarships, research, and campus initiatives.
Encouraged by Bitcoin’s adoption among institutional investors, Harvard invested heavily in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF. This move may inspire other endowed funds to add cryptocurrency to their portfolios. By doing so, Harvard is not only investing in Bitcoin; rather, it is also betting on the future of Finance.
