Harvard Cuts Bitcoin ETF Holdings, Adds $87 Million Ether Investment

Harvard Cuts Bitcoin ETF Holdings, Adds $87 Million Ether Investment

Harvard Management Company rebalanced its crypto portfolio in Q4 2025, trimming Bitcoin ETF exposure and making a first Ethereum ETF investment amid market volatility.

BTC
ETH

Fact Check
The most relevant source, a report from a reputable financial news outlet citing official investment disclosures, describes Harvard University's investment manager acquiring approximately 3.87 million units of an Ether-related ETF and adjusting previous crypto-related holdings. This aligns with the claim that Harvard reduced its Bitcoin ETF exposure while adding a significant Ether investment, roughly corresponding to the stated $87 million figure. Supporting sources with higher authority, such as the financial news outlet, directly relate to Harvard's actions, whereas the other materials provide general market context or are too indirect to verify the specifics. There are no credible contradictions indicating that Harvard did not make this Ether investment. However, because only one mainly direct source confirms this and some numbers (like the exact $87 million figure) appear based on secondary interpretation rather than official filings, the confidence is moderate rather than high. Overall, the balance of credible evidence indicates the reported shift toward Ether ETFs is accurate, but further confirmation from institutional filings would raise certainty.
Summary

In Q4 2025, Harvard Management Company reduced its iShares Bitcoin Trust holdings by about 21%, selling approximately 1.5 million shares and bringing its Bitcoin ETF stake to 5.35 million shares worth $265.8 million. Meanwhile, it purchased 3.87 million iShares Ethereum Trust shares valued at $86.8 million, marking its first Ethereum ETF investment. The move coincided with Bitcoin price turbulence, with crypto ETF exposure totaling around $350 million. The adjustment reflects broader institutional shifts as IBIT holdings among institutions fell from 417 million to 230 million shares over the quarter.

Terms & Concepts
  • Bitcoin ETF: An exchange-traded fund that provides regulated market exposure to Bitcoin without requiring direct ownership of the asset.
  • Ethereum ETF: An exchange-traded fund that tracks Ethereum’s price, enabling investors to gain exposure through a traditional brokerage account.