Bitcoin News Today: Harvard Allocates $117M to BlackRock Bitcoin ETF, Surpassing Stake in Alphabet

Harvard University has allocated $117 million into BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), marking the fifth-largest holding in its $53.2 billion endowment portfolio as of the end of the second quarter of 2025. This investment surpasses Harvard’s stake in Alphabet, the parent company of Google, which it previously held for $114 million [1]. The university’s decision to allocate such a significant sum into a regulated Bitcoin ETF reflects a growing institutional interest in digital assets as a legitimate component of diversified portfolios [2].

The move also places Harvard among the top institutional investors in the Bitcoin ETF market, specifically the 29th-largest holder of IBIT [3]. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, launched in January 2024, has since attracted substantial inflows, managing $84 billion in assets and holding 738,000 BTC—nearly 3.5% of the total Bitcoin supply [4]. Harvard’s investment suggests a high degree of confidence in the fund’s structure, regulatory compliance, and custodial arrangements, which are crucial for large institutions seeking exposure to Bitcoin without the complexities of direct ownership [5].

This trend is not isolated to Harvard alone. Brown University disclosed a $13 million stake in IBIT during the same period, while Emory University invested over $15 million in another Bitcoin-related fund earlier in 2024 [6]. These moves indicate a broader shift in institutional asset management, where universities and endowments are increasingly allocating capital to regulated crypto-linked vehicles to diversify risk and capitalize on digital asset growth potential [7].

Harvard’s investment in IBIT accounts for approximately 8% of a $1.4 billion subset of its U.S. holdings, a notable allocation that underscores the growing legitimacy of Bitcoin as a strategic asset class [8]. Unlike direct Bitcoin ownership, which carries volatility and regulatory uncertainty, spot Bitcoin ETFs offer institutional investors a transparent, exchange-traded alternative that aligns with compliance and governance standards [9].

The increasing presence of Bitcoin ETFs in prestigious university endowments highlights the asset’s transition from a speculative token to a recognized investment vehicle. As more institutions follow suit, the broader financial landscape may continue to shift, reinforcing Bitcoin’s role in diversified, long-term portfolios.

[1] Yahoo, [URL](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/harvard-pours-117m-bitcoin-etf-091919514.html)

[2] AInvest, [URL](https://www.ainvest.com/news/harvard-university-endowment-invests-117m-bitcoin-etf-surpassing-stakes-google-nvidia-2508/)

[3] FXLeaders, [URL](https://www.fxleaders.com/news/2025/08/09/harvard-invests-116m-in-bitcoin-etf-marking-bold-shift-in-endowment-strategy/)

[4] CryptoTicker, [URL](https://cryptoticker.io/en/harvard-buys-dollar117-million-in-bitcoin/)

[5] Bitcoinist.com, [URL](https://bitcoinist.com/harvard-discloses-117m-blackrocks-spot-bitcoin-etf/)

[6] The Institutional Turn to Bitcoin: Harvard's IBIT Stake and ..., AInvest, [URL](https://www.ainvest.com/news/institutional-turn-bitcoin-harvard-ibit-stake-reshaping-endowment-portfolios-2508/)

[8] CryptoDnes.bg, [URL](https://cryptodnes.bg/en/harvards-bitcoin-bet-surpasses-gold-in-latest-portfolio-shift/)