Harvard Ethereum ETF investment marks a major institutional shift, reducing Bitcoin ETF exposure while adding $87M in ETHA holdings.
Author: Kritika Gupta
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16th February 2026- The Harvard Ethereum ETF investment marks a major shift in institutional crypto strategy, as Harvard Management Company (HMC), which manages Harvard University’s $56.9 billion endowment, reduced its Bitcoin exposure while adding Ethereum for the first time. According to its latest SEC 13F filing, HMC cut its holdings in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) by 21%, lowering its position from $442.8 million to $265.8 million. This reduction represents roughly 1.48 million shares sold.
At the same time, Harvard established a new $86.8 million position in BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), acquiring approximately 3.87 million shares. As a result, Harvard’s total crypto ETF exposure now stands at about $352.6 million, which equals roughly 1% of its total portfolio. However, Bitcoin remains Harvard’s largest crypto holding despite the reduction.
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Ted
@TedPillows
Harvard is rotating capital to $ETH. Harvard Management Co. trimmed its Bitcoin ETF stake by 21%. Where did that money go? Directly into $ETH. They established a brand new position in BlackRock's iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA).
10:58 AM·Feb 16, 2026
Mr. Whale
@MrWhale
🚨 BREAKING: 🇺🇸 Harvard sold 21% of its Bitcoin ETF and used the money to buy $87 million worth of an Ethereum ETF. https://t.co/xbXkH7b6s3
10:27 AM·Feb 16, 2026
Harvard’s decision comes after significant volatility in Bitcoin during late 2025. Bitcoin declined from highs near $126,000 to around $88,000, prompting institutions to reassess risk exposure and lock in profits. Harvard had previously expanded its Bitcoin ETF position aggressively, growing from $117 million in Q2 2025 to $442.8 million in Q3 2025.
Therefore, the Harvard Ethereum ETF investment appears to reflect both profit-taking and strategic diversification. Bitcoin primarily serves as a store of value. In contrast, Ethereum functions as a programmable blockchain that supports decentralized finance, NFTs, staking, and tokenized assets. These capabilities provide utility and potential yield opportunities that Bitcoin does not offer.
In addition, Harvard’s move aligns with broader institutional trends. Several university endowments, pension funds, and asset managers have begun allocating to Ethereum ETFs following regulatory approvals in 2024 and 2025.
Relative positioning against past Harvard crypto allocations and institutional trends
The market responded positively to Harvard’s shift. Ethereum gained approximately 4 to 5% following the filing, while Bitcoin remained stable. This suggests investors interpreted the move as diversification within crypto rather than a bearish signal.
Ethereum spot ETFs have already attracted $9.9 billion in inflows since launch. Meanwhile, Bitcoin ETFs continue to lead, with over $34 billion in inflows during 2025.
However, Harvard’s allocation highlights an important structural change. Institutions are no longer treating Bitcoin as the only crypto investment. Instead, they are expanding into multiple blockchain ecosystems.
Harvard’s decision reinforces the transition toward diversified institutional crypto portfolios. Bitcoin remains the dominant store-of-value asset. However, Ethereum is gaining recognition as the foundation for decentralized financial infrastructure.
Moreover, Harvard’s influence extends beyond its allocation size. Institutional investors often follow signals from major endowments when shaping their own strategies.
Looking ahead, experts expect institutional crypto exposure to increase significantly over the next several years. Harvard’s move confirms that Ethereum is becoming a core institutional asset alongside Bitcoin.
Ultimately, this shift reflects the maturation of crypto investing. Institutions are no longer choosing between Bitcoin and Ethereum. Instead, they are allocating to both based on their distinct roles within the digital asset ecosystem.
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