Bitcoin News Today: Harvard Invests $116M in BlackRock Bitcoin ETF as Institutional Adoption Surges

Harvard University has committed $116 million to the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, as revealed in a recent SEC filing. This investment places it among the top five holdings of the Harvard Management Company (HMC), alongside stakes in leading technology firms like Alphabet and NVIDIA. The position includes 1.9 million shares of IBIT, valued at over $116 million as of Q2 2025 [1]. The move is seen as a strong endorsement of Bitcoin’s potential as a long-term store of value and a strategic asset within a diversified portfolio.

This development aligns with a broader trend among elite academic institutions exploring Bitcoin exposure. Brown University holds a $13 million stake in IBIT, while Emory University made a pioneering move in late 2024 by investing in the Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust. The University of Austin has taken a more direct approach by establishing a $5 million Bitcoin endowment fund aimed at advancing blockchain research and adoption [1].

The rapid growth of BlackRock’s IBIT underscores the increasing institutional acceptance of Bitcoin as a legitimate asset. Launched in January 2024, the ETF has seen assets under management rise by 34.5% since December 2024, reaching $86.3 billion by mid-2025. Analyst Eric Balchunas highlighted that IBIT reached $80 billion in just 374 days, outpacing the growth of many traditional equity ETFs [1].

Bitcoin’s institutional adoption is expanding across multiple sectors. Over 1,300 institutional investors now hold Bitcoin ETFs, including major Wall Street firms like Goldman Sachs and Citadel Advisors, as well as sovereign wealth funds and pension funds from around the world. The Michigan state pension fund has nearly tripled its exposure to Bitcoin ETFs, and Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Investment Company holds over $500 million in Bitcoin-related funds [1].

Market conditions further support the institutional shift toward Bitcoin. On August 10, 2025, Bitcoin traded at $122,170, just below its historical high of $123,091. This performance has reinforced investor confidence, with many viewing Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and a long-term store of value. The continued influx of capital into Bitcoin ETFs signals a broader acceptance of digital assets within traditional financial frameworks [1].

Harvard’s $116 million investment in IBIT is more than a financial decision—it reflects a growing recognition of Bitcoin’s role in modern portfolio construction. As more institutional players enter the market, the infrastructure surrounding digital assets appears to be maturing, paving the way for deeper integration into global investment strategies.

Source: [1] Harvard Goes All In on Bitcoin ETF – $116M Bet as BTC Nears Record High (https://crypto-economy.com/harvard-goes-all-in-on-bitcoin-etf-116m-bet-as-btc-nears-record-high/)