In Q2, Harvard held a larger quantity of BlackRock's Bitcoin exchange-traded fund compared to Google's assets.
Harvard University Joins the Bitcoin ETF Bandwagon
In a significant move, Harvard University has announced its investment in the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), marking a shift towards diversifying beyond its usual mix of stocks and bonds. According to recent filings, as of June 30, Harvard Management Co. held approximately 1.9 million shares of IBIT, with a value of around $117 million.
The iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has rapidly emerged as one of the most successful Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) in history. This trust offers investors a convenient way to gain exposure to Bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency, without the need to manage the complexities of purchasing and storing the digital asset directly.
IBIT has attracted deep-pocketed backers ranging from sovereign wealth funds to pension plans. In fact, an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, known for managing about $84 billion in assets, holds a position exceeding $500 million in the iShares Bitcoin Trust. The State of Michigan Retirement System also holds nearly $11 million in the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF.
Harvard's investment in IBIT is not a solitary move among Ivy League institutions. Other major endowments, pension funds, and asset managers are putting money into Bitcoin through regulated ETFs. This trend underscores the growing acceptance of Bitcoin as a legitimate investment option among institutional investors.
While other firms are actively filing XRP ETF applications with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), BlackRock, a leading player in the ETF market, has ruled out filing an XRP ETF for now. Industry experts believe BlackRock may be waiting for stronger market demand, deeper liquidity, or clearer institutional interest in XRP ETFs before entering the market. Some analysts warn that BlackRock’s reluctance to file could cause it to lose market share in the evolving crypto ETF sector since multiple competitors are pursuing XRP ETFs, and the SEC appears likely to approve them in the near term.
Despite this, Harvard's investment in IBIT marks a significant endorsement of BlackRock's spot Bitcoin ETF. No public statement has been made by Harvard regarding the decision to invest in the iShares Bitcoin Trust.
As of August 2025, BlackRock has not filed for a Ripple (XRP) ETF and has officially stated it has no current plans to do so, despite speculation and the recent end of the SEC's lawsuit against Ripple. This decision by BlackRock, one of the world's largest asset managers, underscores the ongoing focus on Bitcoin as a viable investment option for institutional investors.
In conclusion, Harvard University's investment in the iShares Bitcoin Trust signifies a strategic move towards diversifying its portfolio and embracing the digital asset revolution. As more institutions follow suit, the acceptance of Bitcoin as a legitimate investment option among institutional investors continues to grow.
- Harvard University's investment in the iShares Bitcoin Trust, a successful Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), demonstrates a strategic move towards embracing cryptocurrency and diversifying its finance portfolio, focusing on Bitcoin, the world's largest digital asset.
- With the emergence of regulated Bitcoin ETFs as a legitimate investment option among institutional investors, other entities, such as Ivy League institutions, major endowments, and pension funds, are following suit, further solidifying the digital asset's legitimacy in finance.
- Despite speculation and the recent end of the SEC's lawsuit against Ripple, BlackRock, a leading asset manager, has not filed for a Ripple (XRP) ETF as of August 2025, indicating a continued focus on Bitcoin as a viable investment option in the technology-driven crypto market.
