Bitcoin News Today: Institutional Exodus Hits IBIT as Harvard Doubles Down on Bitcoin Bet

BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) recorded a record $523 million net outflow on November 14, 2025, marking the largest single-day redemption since the fund's January 2024 launch. This outflow, part of a broader $1.43 billion exodus over five consecutive days, reflects growing institutional caution amid Bitcoin's volatile price action. The ETF, which holds $72.76 billion in assets, has seen $2.19 billion in net outflows over four weeks, signaling a cooling in the fervor that once drove the crypto market.

The selloff coincided with Bitcoin's slide below $90,000, a level last seen in April 2025. IBIT's share price dropped 16% to $52, exacerbating bearish sentiment. Traders responded by piling into put options to hedge against further declines, pushing the 250-day put-call skew - a measure of relative put option costs - to a seven-month high of 3.1%. Analysts attribute the outflows to portfolio rebalancing rather than outright capitulation, with Vincent Liu of Kronos Research noting institutions are "trimming risk and testing entry points" ahead of macroeconomic clarity.

In contrast, Harvard University's endowment made a bold $442.8 million bet on IBIT in Q3 2025, tripling its stake to 6.8 million shares. The move, which surpassed its holdings in Microsoft and Amazon, underscores institutional validation of Bitcoin ETFs despite the recent volatility. Harvard's investment, while representing less than 1% of its $53 billion endowment, positions the university among the top 20 IBIT holders. This rare foray into crypto aligns with a broader trend of institutional adoption following the 2024 approval of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs.

Market analysts warn that the outflows could amplify downward pressure if institutional demand wanes further. Markus Thielen of 10x Research highlighted signs of market fatigue, citing $939 million in weekly ETF withdrawals and heavy October liquidations as red flags. Meanwhile, Bitcoin's underperformance against gold - up 57% year-to-date - has prompted some investors to rotate into alternative assets.

The divergence in investor behavior highlights Bitcoin's evolving role in institutional portfolios. While Harvard and others see long-term potential, the recent outflows suggest caution amid regulatory uncertainty and macroeconomic headwinds. With the Federal Reserve's December rate decision looming and liquidity returning slowly post-government shutdown, the market awaits a catalyst to reignite bullish momentum.