Harvard University has expanded its exposure to Bitcoin (BTC), making the cryptocurrency-linked asset the largest position in its publicly disclosed equity portfolio.
The university’s latest Form 13F filing shows holdings of 6.81 million shares of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), valued at approximately $442.8 million as of September 30.
This marks an extraordinary increase from the end of June, when Harvard reported 1.9 million IBIT shares. Over just three months, the university added 4.9 million shares worth $318.95 million, effectively quadrupling its Bitcoin exposure.
While the position remains a small fraction of Harvard’s nearly $57 billion endowment, its scale within the equity portfolio points to growing institutional acceptance of Bitcoin’s role as an investable asset.
The move places Harvard among a small but expanding group of universities allocating capital to Bitcoin ETFs, a trend that follows increased regulatory clarity and the availability of SEC-approved spot products.
Institutions turning to Bitcoin
Notably, Harvard joins other institutions exploring similar exposures. Brown University recently reported more than $13 million in IBIT shares, while Emory University disclosed a sharply increased position in the Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust and a smaller allocation to IBIT in its third-quarter filing.
Harvard’s decision also contrasts with earlier skepticism expressed within its own academic circles.
For instance, in 2018, economist and a Harvard University professor Kenneth Rogoff argued that Bitcoin would likely collapse in value over the coming decade.
However, in his recent writings, Rogoff acknowledged misjudging both the durability of Bitcoin’s global appeal and the slow, uneven development of regulatory frameworks worldwide.
Featured image via Shutterstock
