Harvard Invests $116M in BlackRock Bitcoin ETF (IBIT)

Harvard Enters Bitcoin ETF Market

SEC filings for Q2 2025 revealed that Harvard University has invested $116.6 million in BlackRock's IBIT Bitcoin ETF. This makes IBIT Harvard's fifth-largest portfolio investment, surpassing holdings in Alphabet (Google's parent company).

The timing of Harvard's investment remains unclear. While the university holds shares in numerous tech firms, IBIT appears to be its only direct exposure to Web3.

Surprise Bitcoin ETF Purchase

Harvard, while occasionally mentioned in the crypto sphere, has primarily had indirect interactions. For example, its Business School approved a case study on Helium.

However, the recent SEC filings confirm Harvard's significant allocation to a Bitcoin ETF.

While initial social media reports suggested a $120 million investment, the official figure disclosed in SEC documents is $116.6 million.

This investment ranks IBIT as Harvard’s fifth-largest holding, behind Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Booking Holdings Inc.

Notably, Harvard's IBIT allocation exceeds its investment in Alphabet by approximately $3 million.

BlackRock is a dominant player in the Bitcoin ETF market, making it a logical choice for Harvard's investment. IBIT has emerged as a leading option for Bitcoin ETF investments.

While Harvard's portfolio includes tech stocks like NVIDIA ($104.4 million), IBIT represents its sole direct involvement in Web3.

Harvard’s entry into the Bitcoin ETF market could boost IBIT’s visibility. Despite recent fluctuations in BTC ETF inflows, Harvard’s confidence could signal broader institutional acceptance. For projects looking to capitalize on growing institutional interest, Codeum offers comprehensive blockchain security audits and KYC solutions to ensure the reliability of your platforms.