Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Slumps, Harvard's $364M ETF Stake Signals Institutional Resolve

Harvard University has significantly expanded its exposure to Bitcoin through regulated exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with its holdings in BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) surging 257% in the third quarter of 2025 to $442.8 million, according to a 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The endowment, now holding 6.81 million IBIT shares, has positioned itself as one of the largest institutional stakeholders in the fund, signaling growing institutional confidence in Bitcoin as a legitimate portfolio asset. This move follows a broader trend of universities and sovereign wealth funds allocating to crypto-linked instruments amid regulatory clarity and macroeconomic uncertainty.

The Ivy League endowment, valued at $50 billion, also doubled its stake in gold ETFs, increasing its SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) holdings to 661,391 shares valued at $235 million. Treating both Bitcoin and gold as inflation hedges, Harvard's strategy reflects a cautious yet strategic approach to diversifying against currency risks and geopolitical volatility according to analysis. While Bitcoin's recent price decline has reduced the value of its IBIT position to approximately $364.4 million, the allocation remains a symbolic endorsement of the asset class.

The surge in institutional adoption is underscored by the broader market landscape. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have attracted $60.8 billion in net inflows since their January 2024 approval, with BlackRock's IBIT dominating at $19.4 billion in assets under management and 35% of total inflows. Harvard's entry into the top 16 largest IBIT holders-despite the stake representing less than 1% of its endowment-has been hailed by analysts as a rare validation for ETFs. "It's super rare/difficult to get an endowment to bite on an ETF-especially Harvard or Yale-it's as good as an ETF can get," Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas noted according to Bloomberg.

Other institutions are following suit. Emory University increased its Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC) holdings by 91% to $42.9 million, while Abu Dhabi's Al Warda Investments nearly tripled its IBIT stake to $517.6 million according to reports. These moves highlight a shift in institutional risk tolerance, with regulated ETFs offering liquidity and oversight that align with traditional investment frameworks.

Despite Bitcoin's recent 6-month low below $96,000, the long-term institutional narrative remains intact. Harvard's decision to prioritize Bitcoin ETFs-over direct crypto holdings-underscores a preference for regulatory compliance and ease of integration. As more universities and sovereign funds enter the space, the market could see further stabilization and mainstream adoption, analysts suggest according to market analysis.