Bitcoin Updates: Bitcoin Drops, Harvard's $364 Million ETF Investment Shows Institutional Commitment

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Bitcoin Updates: Bitcoin Drops, Harvard's $364 Million ETF Investment Shows Institutional Commitment

Bitget-RWA2025/11/15 19:11

By:Bitget-RWA

- Harvard University increased its BlackRock IBIT Bitcoin ETF stake by 257% to $364.4M, becoming a top institutional holder. - The $50B endowment also doubled gold ETF holdings, treating both assets as inflation hedges amid macroeconomic uncertainty. - Emory and Abu Dhabi's Al Warda similarly boosted crypto-linked ETFs, signaling institutional confidence in regulated digital assets. - Analysts highlight Harvard's ETF adoption as rare validation, with U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs attracting $60.8B in inflows sinc

Harvard University has notably increased its investment in

Bitcoin

through regulated exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with its stake in BlackRock’s

iShares Bitcoin Trust

(IBIT)

jumping by 257% during the third quarter

of 2025, reaching $442.8 million, as disclosed in a 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The endowment now owns 6.81 million

IBIT

shares,

making it one of the fund’s largest institutional investors

, which highlights a rising level of institutional trust in Bitcoin as a viable asset for portfolios. This step is part of a larger movement among universities and sovereign wealth funds

investing in crypto-related assets

as regulatory frameworks become clearer and economic uncertainty persists.

The Ivy League endowment, with assets totaling $50 billion, has also

doubled its investment in gold ETFs

, boosting its SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) holdings to 661,391 shares worth $235 million. By treating both Bitcoin and gold as safeguards against inflation, Harvard’s approach demonstrates a careful yet calculated strategy to diversify against currency fluctuations and geopolitical risks

as noted by analysts

. Although Bitcoin’s recent price drop has

lowered the value of its IBIT holdings

to about $364.4 million, the allocation still stands as a significant endorsement of the asset class.

The broader market context further emphasizes the rise in institutional participation. Since their approval in January 2024, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen $60.8 billion in net inflows, with BlackRock’s IBIT

leading with $19.4 billion in assets under management

and accounting for 35% of all inflows. Harvard’s position among the top 16 IBIT shareholders—even though it represents less than 1% of its total endowment—

has been described by experts

as a rare and notable endorsement for ETFs.

Bitcoin Updates: Bitcoin Drops, Harvard's $364 Million ETF Investment Shows Institutional Commitment image 0

“It’s extremely uncommon and challenging for an endowment to invest in an ETF—especially one like Harvard or Yale—this is about as strong an endorsement as an ETF can receive,” Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas commented

as reported by Bloomberg

Other major investors are making similar moves. Emory University raised its holdings in the Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC) by 91% to $42.9 million, while Al Warda Investments from Abu Dhabi nearly tripled its IBIT investment to $517.6 million

according to recent reports

. These actions reflect a shift in how institutions view risk, with

regulated ETFs providing both liquidity and regulatory oversight

that fit within conventional investment models.

Even though Bitcoin recently hit a six-month low below $96,000, the long-term outlook for institutional involvement remains strong. Harvard’s preference for Bitcoin ETFs over direct cryptocurrency ownership

highlights its focus on regulatory adherence

and ease of integration. As more universities and sovereign wealth funds participate, analysts believe the market could experience greater stability and broader acceptance

based on market assessments

Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

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