According to a recent SEC filing, Harvard University now holds 6,813,612 shares of IBIT worth about $442.8 million. The university’s holdings represent a 257% increase from 1,906,000 shares previously reported in the second quarter, valued at around $117 million.
Its GLD gold ETF holdings also surged by almost 100%. It currently has 661,391 shares of the GLD gold ETF valued at $235 million, up from 333,000 shares in June. Analysts note that the scale of the endowment’s increase is noteworthy, given its long-standing conservative investment approach.
Harvard is looking at long-term investment despite price swings
The Ivy League institution has been steadily expanding its ETF footprint, complementing a portfolio that includes significant positions in technology giants such as
Back in 2018, a Harvard economist and former IMF chief predicted Bitcoin was more likely to crash to $100 than ever hit $100,000 by 2028. Now, with a little over two years remaining, BTC is still far from reaching that $100 prediction. Harvard’s move to scale up its investment also changes the narrative. Its latest disclosure places it high on the list of IBIT’s institutional holders, highlighting just how quickly Bitcoin ETFs are spreading through traditional finance.
According to MacroScope, Harvard’s investment is another indication of significant long-term capital shifting toward Bitcoin, regardless of its short-term price fluctuations. An X user by the name Zane Hauck even noted that he believes Harvard isn’t reacting to day-to-day swings; instead, they’re aligning with a reality where monetary dilution and scarce compute capacity shape investment strategies. According to its Q2 holdings, the university was already the 29th holder of IBIT assets.
Another user advised Harvard: “They can wait years for a thesis to play out. Best to temper everyone’s expectations, especially given the near-term price action.”
Some suggested that other universities may join Harvard in accumulating Bitcoin. As of August 8, Brown University, another Ivy League institution, held more than $13 million worth of IBIT shares.
Bitcoin ETFs drew in over $60 billion in net inflows
Launched in early 2024, Bitcoin ETFs have opened the door for large institutions to access the asset under strict regulatory oversight. Filings now indicate that pensions, insurance firms, and sovereign wealth funds are allocating to them, signaling a major shift in traditional finance’s stance on crypto.
Collectively, Bitcoin ETFs have seen net inflows of $60.8 billion, and trading volume exceeding $1.5 million. The explosive rise of Bitcoin ETFs has transformed the institutional investment terrain. BlackRock’s IBIT now rules the day, managing more than half of all assets in U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs.
The Fidelity FBTC continues to see solid inflows, along with IBIT, from wealth managers, pensions, and other large institutional allocators, too. The appeal of these newer ETFs comes from their lower fees, tighter trading spreads, and increased liquidity, elements that have driven adoption and entrenched Bitcoin’s increasingly prevalent position in mainstream finance.
On Wednesday, Bitcoin climbed back over $104,700 after U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs pulled in $524 million on Tuesday — their best inflow day since early October. BlackRock’s IBIT dominated Tuesday’s inflows with $224.2 million. Fidelity’s FBTC was next at $165.9 million, ARKB attracted $102.5 million, and Grayscale tacked on $24.1 million.
Overall, BlackRock’s IBIT has captured over 35% of total Bitcoin ETF inflows. It added $1.2 billion in the last month alone, raising AUM past $19.4 billion. Fidelity’s FBTC also continues to attract pension and wealth-management investors, adding $165.9 million in a single day and surpassing its total assets to reach $13.6 billion. Meanwhile, Ark 21Shares’ ARKB continues to serve as a top hybrid of retail and institutional investors, with $102.5 million in inflows driven by short-term trader rebalancing.
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