Harvard Significantly Increases Bitcoin and Gold ETF Holdings

Harvard University has significantly increased its holdings in the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) and SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD) as detailed in its latest 13F filings.

This marked increase underscores rising institutional interest in Bitcoin and gold, potentially influencing market dynamics and signaling increased acceptance of digital assets among major endowment funds.

Harvard’s ETF Holdings Surge: 6.8 Million Bitcoin Shares Added

Harvard Management Company revealed a substantial increase in shares of the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF and SPDR Gold Shares ETF. As of September 30, 2025, their Bitcoin holdings surged to 6,813,612 shares, amounting to $442.9 million. Gold ETF shares rose to 661,391, valued at $235 million. This notable adjustment, spearheaded by CEO N.P. “Narv” Narvekar, aligns with the firm’s transition towards a more generalized and risk-balanced strategy.

These strategic adjustments bolster Harvard’s approach in embracing diversified asset allocations. The Bitcoin ETF holdings grew by 257.48%, while the Gold ETF increased by 98.62% from June figures. These shifts highlight the evolving perception of Bitcoin as a viable institutional asset.

“Harvard Management Company has in recent years undertaken a thoughtful assessment of the investment portfolio, recognizing that a singular focus on asset allocation—while a significant contributor to returns—can mask important considerations around the volatility of those returns, and of equal importance, the University’s ability to absorb that volatility.” — N.P. “Narv” Narvekar, CEO, Harvard Management Company.

Bitcoin’s Institutional Evolution: Current Market Impact and Future Outlook

Did you know? In 2017, Yale’s crypto exposure hinted at institutional interest, similar to Harvard’s recent agility in digital asset investments, marking a pivotal shift in university endowment strategies historically reliant on traditional assets.

As of the latest data on November 15, 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) is priced at $95,404.93 with a market cap of $1.90 trillion, marking a -4.09% shift over the past 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap. The trading volume over the past day was $111.50 billion, reflecting broader market undercurrents of decreased confidence, with substantial drops in price over the recent months.

Analysts from Coincu note the increasing normalization of digital assets in institutional portfolios could lead to significant changes in regulatory landscapes. With a focus on Bitcoin ETFs by major endowments, experts foresee more substantial market integration in future asset allocation strategies.