Harvard Expands Bitcoin ETF Stake to $443 Million

Harvard University significantly expanded its investment in Bitcoin through exchange-traded funds during the third quarter, increasing its holdings in BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust by 257 percent to 6.8 million shares valued at approximately $443 million as of September 30. The move, disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, marks the largest single position in the university's latest 13F report and reflects a broader trend among institutional investors seeking exposure to digital assets via regulated vehicles.

The Harvard Management Company, which oversees the university's $57 billion endowment, boosted its stake from 1.9 million shares at the end of June. This allocation, while representing less than 1 percent of the total endowment, underscores a strategic pivot toward alternative assets. Concurrently, Harvard nearly doubled its position in the SPDR Gold Shares ETF to 661,391 shares worth about $235 million, signaling diversification into both cryptocurrencies and traditional safe-haven commodities amid economic uncertainties.

Emory University, a private research institution in Georgia, also deepened its Bitcoin involvement in the same...