Bitcoin News Today: Harvard's IBIT Surge Validates Bitcoin as Institutional Asset

Harvard University has emerged as one of the largest institutional investors in Bitcoin ETFs, significantly increasing its stake in BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) by 257% to $442.8 million in the third quarter of 2025. The move, disclosed in an SEC filing, positions IBIT as the university's largest single holding in its 13F portfolio, surpassing its investments in tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon. This strategic shift underscores growing institutional confidence in Bitcoin as a legitimate asset class, even as the broader market grapples with volatility.

The endowment, which manages $53 billion in assets, now holds 6.8 million shares of IBIT, a 257% surge from the 1.9 million shares reported in June. This allocation, representing less than 1% of Harvard's total endowment, places the university among the top 20 holders of the ETF.

Simultaneously, Harvard doubled its exposure to gold, increasing its GLD holdings by 99% to $235 million, signaling a dual focus on hedging against economic uncertainty while capitalizing on long-term digital-asset trends.

The decision marks a departure from Harvard's traditionally conservative investment strategy. Eric Balchunas, a Bloomberg ETF analyst, called the move "as strong a validation an ETF can get," noting that elite endowments rarely allocate to volatile assets without a long-term thesis. The university's aggressive ramp-up in IBIT coincides with broader institutional adoption of Bitcoin ETFs, which have attracted over $60 billion in net inflows since their U.S. launch in early 2024. BlackRock's IBIT dominates the market, capturing more than half of assets under management in spot Bitcoin ETFs, with Harvard's latest investment adding to its momentum.

Harvard's move also highlights a shift in academic perspectives on Bitcoin. In 2018, economist Kenneth Rogoff, a former IMF chief, predicted Bitcoin would collapse to $100 by 2028. However, the university's current allocation-valued at $442.8 million-reflects a reversal of such skepticism. Rogoff recently acknowledged underestimating Bitcoin's resilience and the regulatory frameworks enabling its growth.

The investment is part of a broader trend among institutions. Brown University and Emory University have also disclosed Bitcoin ETF holdings, with the latter increasing its position in Grayscale's Bitcoin Mini Trust by 100% in Q3. Meanwhile, state pension funds like Michigan's and Wisconsin's have similarly expanded their crypto exposure, signaling a maturing market for institutional-grade digital assets.

Despite Bitcoin's recent price swings-fluctuating between $55,000 and $70,000 in Q3, Harvard's decision to scale its IBIT stake suggests confidence in the asset's structural value. Analysts argue that ETFs provide a regulated, liquid pathway for institutions to access crypto without directly holding volatile assets. This approach may encourage other endowments and pensions to follow suit, further normalizing Bitcoin's role in diversified portfolios.