Harvard University Cuts Bitcoin, Enters Ethereum for First Time
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 17 2026
0mins
Should l Buy ETHA?
Source: Benzinga
- Bitcoin Position Reduction: Harvard Management Company reported holding 5.35 million shares of iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF as of December 31, down 21% from the previous quarter, valued at $265.8 million, which constitutes 12.78% of its total portfolio, indicating a cautious stance on Bitcoin.
- First-Time Ethereum Investment: Harvard has entered the iShares Ethereum Trust ETF for the first time, acquiring 3,870,900 shares worth $86.82 million, reflecting its interest in Ethereum and a reassessment of its crypto market strategy.
- Market Pressure Impact: Despite the investment in Ethereum, both ETFs faced significant market pressures last year, highlighting the overall slump in the cryptocurrency market, which may influence future investment decisions.
- Future Investment Direction: The shift from Bitcoin to Ethereum has prompted Binance founder Changpeng Zhao to speculate whether Harvard might pivot towards altcoins next, suggesting potential changes in its investment strategy.
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About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Marathon Asset Management Sells Entire Stake in iShares Ethereum Trust ETF
- Complete Liquidation: On February 17, 2026, Marathon Asset Management disclosed via an SEC filing that it sold its entire position of 85,000 shares in the iShares Ethereum Trust ETF for approximately $2.68 million, indicating a significant shift in its investment strategy.
- Asset Allocation Shift: Following this transaction, Marathon reported zero shares held in the Ethereum ETF, which previously constituted 3.6% of the fund's assets, reflecting a reassessment of its digital asset exposure and strategic focus.
- Market Performance Comparison: As of the transaction date, the Ethereum ETF was priced at $15.59, down about 4% over the past year, significantly underperforming the S&P 500's 16% gain, highlighting the ETF's struggles in the current market environment.
- Increased Bitcoin ETF Holdings: Despite liquidating its Ethereum position, Marathon still holds approximately $2.2 million in a Bitcoin ETF and has added 22,000 shares, suggesting a strategic preference for Bitcoin, which continues to attract institutional demand.
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- iShares Bitcoin Trust Hit Hard: BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust suffered the most, losing over 42,000 BTC from peak holdings of more than 806,000 BTC, which not only impacts its asset management scale but could also have long-term implications for its market position.
- Investor Cost Pressure: With ETF investors having an average cost basis of about $79,000 while Bitcoin trades below $70,000, this creates substantial financial pressure on investors, potentially leading to further sell-offs that could exacerbate market volatility.
- Geopolitical Influence: The sharp rise in Bitcoin's price coincides with military actions by Israel and the U.S. against Iran, with analysts noting that while war headlines initially negatively impact Bitcoin prices, ETF inflows often push prices back up, reflecting the market's complex reactions.
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BNY Mellon ETH Affected: Among the ETFs, the BNY Mellon ETH saw a significant outflow of $43 million, while other ETFs experienced minimal flow volume.
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Investment Strategy Analysis in the Crypto Market
- Bitcoin Investment: Currently, Bitcoin (BTC) accounts for 60% of the total crypto market cap, trading at $67,000, which is a 47% drop from its all-time high; analysts predict it could reach $1 million by 2030, indicating significant long-term investment potential.
- Ethereum Valuation: Ethereum (ETH) is priced at $2,000, down 60% from $5,000 in August, holding a 56% market share in decentralized finance, highlighting its critical role in the convergence of traditional and blockchain finance.
- Rise of Gold Stablecoins: Gold-backed stablecoin PAX Gold (PAXG) has surged 16% this year, serving as a defensive investment; as gold prices rise, so will PAX Gold's value, representing a strong performance in the current market.
- 70/20/10 Portfolio Construction: With the introduction of spot crypto ETFs, investors can easily build a 70/20/10 portfolio, investing $700 in Bitcoin, $200 in Ethereum, and $100 in a gold ETF, aiming to capitalize on market recovery.
See More
Harvard Fund Reduces Bitcoin, Increases Ethereum Holdings
- Harvard Fund Shift: Harvard University's $50 billion endowment has reduced its Bitcoin holdings, cutting its position in the iShares Bitcoin Trust from 6.81 million shares to 5.35 million shares, reflecting a 21% decrease in market value to $265.8 million, indicating waning confidence in Bitcoin.
- Ethereum Entry: The endowment has acquired 3.87 million shares of the iShares Ethereum Trust, valued at approximately $86.8 million, marking its first investment in Ethereum and suggesting a strategic shift towards diversification in its crypto portfolio.
- Market Performance Comparison: Bitcoin has dropped 25% this year, while Ethereum has fallen 35%, with Bitcoin down 47% from its all-time high and Ethereum down 61%, suggesting Ethereum may be oversold and appealing to bargain-hunting investors.
- Yield Potential Analysis: Ethereum's ability to offer staking yields makes it more attractive to investors compared to Bitcoin, which does not provide such benefits, and with a more favorable regulatory environment, institutional investors may increasingly favor Ethereum over Bitcoin.
See More
Marathon Asset Management Sells Entire Stake in iShares Ethereum Trust ETF
- Complete Liquidation: On February 17, 2026, Marathon Asset Management disclosed via an SEC filing that it sold its entire position of 85,000 shares in the iShares Ethereum Trust ETF for approximately $2.68 million, indicating a significant shift in its investment strategy.
- Asset Allocation Shift: Following this transaction, Marathon reported zero shares held in the Ethereum ETF, which previously constituted 3.6% of the fund's assets, reflecting a reassessment of its digital asset exposure and strategic focus.
- Market Performance Comparison: As of the transaction date, the Ethereum ETF was priced at $15.59, down about 4% over the past year, significantly underperforming the S&P 500's 16% gain, highlighting the ETF's struggles in the current market environment.
- Increased Bitcoin ETF Holdings: Despite liquidating its Ethereum position, Marathon still holds approximately $2.2 million in a Bitcoin ETF and has added 22,000 shares, suggesting a strategic preference for Bitcoin, which continues to attract institutional demand.
See More
Bitcoin ETFs Experience Largest Drawdown Since Launch
- Market Drawdown Impact: Over $8.9 billion has flowed out of Bitcoin ETFs during the recent market correction, marking the largest drawdown since their launch in July 2024, indicating a significant decline in investor confidence that may lead to more cautious future investment decisions.
- iShares Bitcoin Trust Hit Hard: BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust suffered the most, losing over 42,000 BTC from peak holdings of more than 806,000 BTC, which not only impacts its asset management scale but could also have long-term implications for its market position.
- Investor Cost Pressure: With ETF investors having an average cost basis of about $79,000 while Bitcoin trades below $70,000, this creates substantial financial pressure on investors, potentially leading to further sell-offs that could exacerbate market volatility.
- Geopolitical Influence: The sharp rise in Bitcoin's price coincides with military actions by Israel and the U.S. against Iran, with analysts noting that while war headlines initially negatively impact Bitcoin prices, ETF inflows often push prices back up, reflecting the market's complex reactions.
See More
Nasdaq Considers 'Yes-Or-No' Contracts for Major Indexes, Enters Prediction Market
Nasdaq's New Offering: Nasdaq is proposing to enter the prediction market space by launching binary "Outcome Related Options" tied to the Nasdaq 100 Index, allowing traders to take yes-or-no positions on defined index outcomes with fixed payouts.
Regulatory Approval Pending: The proposed contracts are awaiting approval from the SEC and would represent Nasdaq's first direct move into prediction-style trading, a segment that has gained traction in recent years.
Market Impact: If approved, these contracts would trade on both the Nasdaq 100 Index and the Nasdaq 100 Micro Index, with pricing expected between $0.01 and $1.00, creating a fixed-risk structure for traders.
Growing Popularity: The move aligns with the increasing popularity of event-based contracts in prediction markets, which have seen significant engagement, particularly among short-term traders utilizing weekly and daily expirations.
See More
US Ethereum Spot ETF Experienced a $43 Million Net Outflow Yesterday
ETFs Experience Outflow: The US Ethereum spot ETFs reported a net outflow of $43 million, marking the end of a three-day streak of net inflows.
BNY Mellon ETH Affected: Among the ETFs, the BNY Mellon ETH saw a significant outflow of $43 million, while other ETFs experienced minimal flow volume.
See More
Investment Strategy Analysis in the Crypto Market
- Bitcoin Investment: Currently, Bitcoin (BTC) accounts for 60% of the total crypto market cap, trading at $67,000, which is a 47% drop from its all-time high; analysts predict it could reach $1 million by 2030, indicating significant long-term investment potential.
- Ethereum Valuation: Ethereum (ETH) is priced at $2,000, down 60% from $5,000 in August, holding a 56% market share in decentralized finance, highlighting its critical role in the convergence of traditional and blockchain finance.
- Rise of Gold Stablecoins: Gold-backed stablecoin PAX Gold (PAXG) has surged 16% this year, serving as a defensive investment; as gold prices rise, so will PAX Gold's value, representing a strong performance in the current market.
- 70/20/10 Portfolio Construction: With the introduction of spot crypto ETFs, investors can easily build a 70/20/10 portfolio, investing $700 in Bitcoin, $200 in Ethereum, and $100 in a gold ETF, aiming to capitalize on market recovery.
See More
Harvard Fund Reduces Bitcoin, Increases Ethereum Holdings
- Harvard Fund Shift: Harvard University's $50 billion endowment has reduced its Bitcoin holdings, cutting its position in the iShares Bitcoin Trust from 6.81 million shares to 5.35 million shares, reflecting a 21% decrease in market value to $265.8 million, indicating waning confidence in Bitcoin.
- Ethereum Entry: The endowment has acquired 3.87 million shares of the iShares Ethereum Trust, valued at approximately $86.8 million, marking its first investment in Ethereum and suggesting a strategic shift towards diversification in its crypto portfolio.
- Market Performance Comparison: Bitcoin has dropped 25% this year, while Ethereum has fallen 35%, with Bitcoin down 47% from its all-time high and Ethereum down 61%, suggesting Ethereum may be oversold and appealing to bargain-hunting investors.
- Yield Potential Analysis: Ethereum's ability to offer staking yields makes it more attractive to investors compared to Bitcoin, which does not provide such benefits, and with a more favorable regulatory environment, institutional investors may increasingly favor Ethereum over Bitcoin.
See More
