Harvard University’s endowment, managed by Harvard Management Company, has invested $116.7 million in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) during the second quarter, according to recent disclosures. This significant allocation surpasses the endowment’s stakes in tech giants Alphabet (Google’s parent company) and Nvidia, signaling a strategic pivot toward cryptocurrency exposure.
The investment positions Harvard as the 29th-largest holder of IBIT, BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), which has gained traction among institutional investors seeking regulated access to Bitcoin. Harvard’s decision reflects growing confidence in digital assets among traditional financial heavyweights, with the endowment’s move potentially setting a precedent for other institutional investors.
This allocation comes as Bitcoin continues to gain mainstream acceptance, driven by increasing regulatory clarity and the success of spot Bitcoin ETFs. Harvard’s endowment, valued at over $50 billion, is known for its diversified and forward-thinking investment strategy, and this move underscores its willingness to embrace emerging asset classes.
As of August 9, 2025, Bitcoin’s price has shown resilience, further fueling interest in crypto-focused investment vehicles like IBIT.
