| Key Points: – Harvard cuts Bitcoin ETF holdings, initiates $87M position in Ethereum Trust. – Endowment shifts strategy: trims BTC ETF, buys iShares ETHA for $87M. – Harvard Management diversifies, reducing Bitcoin exposure and purchasing iShares Ethereum Trust. |
Harvard Management Company trimmed its spot Bitcoin ETF exposure by about 21% in the fourth quarter of 2025 and initiated an ether position, purchasing nearly 3.9 million shares of BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) for about $87 million, as reported by CoinDesk (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/02/16/harvard-cuts-bitcoin-exposure-by-20-adds-new-ether-position).
The endowment reduced its iShares Bitcoin Trust stake by approximately 1.48 million shares to 5.35 million, per CryptoRank (https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/7b24d-harvard-cuts-bitcoin-shift-to-ethereum). Disclosures reflect positions as of Dec. 31 and may have changed after the reporting date.
Taken together, Harvard’s spot Bitcoin and ether ETF holdings now total roughly $352.6 million of exposure, according to ZyCrypto (https://zycrypto.com/harvard-university-slashes-bitcoin-etf-stake-by-over-20-while-making-substantial-ether-buy/). Both products are part of BlackRock’s iShares lineup.
What changed in Harvard Management Company’s crypto exposure
The shift rebalances Harvard’s crypto book from a single-asset tilt toward a two-asset mix via spot ETFs. AMBCrypto reported the rotation occurred in late 2025 as spot ETF flows softened (https://ambcrypto.com/harvard-rotates-from-bitcoin-to-ethereum-etfs-in-late-2025-rebalance/).
Spot crypto ETFs generally provide direct exposure to the underlying assets held in trust, offering operational simplicity relative to direct coin custody. Such structures can align with large-institution governance and audit requirements.
Over Q4 2025, Bitcoin fell from around $126,000 to about $88,429, while Ethereum declined roughly 28%, as reported by The Block (https://www.theblock.co/post/389996/harvard-bitcoin-ether-etf-holdings/?utm_source=openai). Those moves framed the endowment’s quarter-end positioning.
Academic voices have highlighted risk, valuation, and diversification considerations for long-horizon investors allocating to crypto. “Harvard’s investment in Bitcoin is risky,” said Andrew F. Siegel, Professor Emeritus of Finance at the University of Washington. “The portfolio remains underdiversified and valuing Bitcoin or Ethereum is challenging,” said Avanidhar Subrahmanyam, finance professor at UCLA.
FAQ: holdings, ETF details, and timing
How many BTC and ETH ETF shares does Harvard hold?
About 5.35 million IBIT shares and roughly 3.9 million ETHA shares, based on Q4 2025 disclosures.
Which Ethereum ETF did Harvard buy and for how much?
BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA); the position was valued around $87 million at quarter-end.
Disclaimer:
The information provided on AiCryptoCore.com is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Cryptocurrency investments involve risk and may result in financial loss. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
