Harvard University’s asset management unit announced in the official document submitted to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the first quarter of 2026 that it disposed of all ETF investments linked to Ethereum. This development revealed that the university completely closed its position in this area by selling Ethereum ETF shares worth a total of $ 87 million last quarter.
Harvard’s decision to sell Ethereum ETF
Harvard University’s asset management is among the major institutional investors turning to cryptocurrencies. In the latest SEC filing, it was seen that BlackRock, in particular, disposed of all the Ethereum-related shares it acquired through the iShares Ethereum Trust ETF. Harvard held these shares in its portfolio for only one quarter and then quickly sold them. Although the reason for the sale was not disclosed in the document, many analysts interpret this step as a reflection of changing perceptions towards the crypto market.
Mini glossary: Harvard Management Company is one of the largest university funds in the United States, managing approximately $52 billion in assets of Harvard University. While the fund is generally known for investing in traditional finance and different asset classes, it has increased its interest in cryptocurrencies in recent years.
Significant changes were observed in both Ethereum and Bitcoin ETFs following Harvard’s sell-off; The university fund completely withdrew from the Ethereum ETF in less than a quarter, as well as reducing its portfolio in Bitcoin.
Partial decrease in Bitcoin position
During the same period, it was seen that Harvard’s Bitcoin position also decreased. They sold approximately 2.3 million of their Bitcoin ETF shares. But despite the sale, the Harvard fund continues to have significant holdings of $117 million in the BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF, with over 3 million shares. Institutional investors’ attitudes towards crypto assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are closely monitored for market fluctuations and corporate strategy changes.
| Presence | Sold Share | Remaining Share | Residual Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethereum ETF | All ($87 million) | 0 | 0 |
| Bitcoin ETF | 2.3 million | 3 million+ | $117 million |
Sharp drop in Ethereum price and changes in the foundation
On the Ethereum front, it was noted that the price, which reached approximately 5 thousand dollars in August 2025, lost more than 50 percent of its value during the year. This loss of value parallels a series of separations within the Ethereum Foundation. Eight researchers and staff left the foundation in 2026; The recent separations of Julian Ma and Carl Beek suggest that there is an unstable period in this field.
In April, experienced researcher Josh Stark joined those who left the foundation. After the management changes that started at the beginning of 2025, the new foundation document published in March emphasized decentralization, privacy, open source and resistance to censorship. The community evaluated these changes in different ways.
Journalist Laura Shin stated that while it is positive that the Ethereum Foundation adheres to its basic principles, she also expressed the opinion that the foundation should pay more attention to token economy and price performance.
The sales revealed in Harvard’s latest SEC filing indicate that the recent fluctuations in the Ethereum ecosystem and developments within the foundation have an impact on institutional investors.
