Harvard University has taken a bold step into digital assets. Recent regulatory filings show that the university now holds more in Bitcoin ETFs than in Google’s parent company, Alphabet. This shift highlights how major institutions are rethinking portfolio strategy in 2025.
Harvard’s Growing Bitcoin ETF Position
Harvard’s endowment disclosed a major stake in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust, a regulated spot Bitcoin ETF. As of the end of the second quarter, the position stood at about $116.7 million. Later filings suggest that the allocation climbed sharply, reaching into the hundreds of millions of dollars .
At one point, disclosures showed the Bitcoin ETF holdings near $442 million. That figure places Harvard among the largest publicly reported institutional investors in spot Bitcoin ETFs.
This move reflects growing confidence in regulated crypto investment products. Instead of holding Bitcoin directly, Harvard chose a familiar ETF structure. Therefore, it can gain exposure while operating within traditional financial systems.
Bitcoin Overtakes Google in Public Portfolio
During the same reporting period, Harvard’s stake in Alphabet totaled roughly $114 million. As a result, the Bitcoin ETF position surpassed its Google-related shares in the publicly disclosed portion of the endowment.
Key highlights from the filings include:
- $116.7 million initial Bitcoin ETF position in Q2 2025
- Alphabet holdings reported near $114 million
- Expanded Bitcoin ETF exposure reaching hundreds of millions
This comparison does not mean Harvard abandoned tech stocks. However, it clearly signals a stronger tilt toward digital assets.
What This Means for Institutional Crypto Adoption
Harvard’s allocation sends a strong message to the market. Large endowments often move carefully and think long term. When an institution of this size increases its Bitcoin ETF exposure, others pay attention.
Furthermore, regulated spot Bitcoin ETFs have made crypto investing easier for pensions, endowments, and asset managers. Harvard’s strategy shows how Bitcoin now competes directly with blue chip equities in major portfolios.
As Bitcoin matures, institutional adoption continues to reshape the investment landscape.
