John Deaton Slams Elizabeth Warren as Harvard Jumps into BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF—Hypocrisy or Progress?

Crypto lawyer John Deaton just torched Senator Elizabeth Warren—again—as Ivy League heavyweight Harvard quietly stacks Bitcoin ETF shares alongside BlackRock. The irony? Priceless.

Wall Street’s new love affair with Bitcoin ETFs hits peak absurdity as academic endowments dive in. Guess those 'risky asset' lectures didn’t age well.

Deaton’s latest broadside? A tweetstorm calling out Warren’s anti-crypto crusade while her alma mater bets big on digital gold. Meanwhile, BlackRock’s ETF now hoards over $15B in BTC—institutional FOMO at its finest.

One question remains: When will politicians realize blocking this train just leaves them standing on the platform?

Harvard’s $116 Million Investment in Bitcoin ETF

Harvard University’s endowment, managed by Harvard Management Company, has disclosed a substantial investment in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF. As of June 30, the endowment held approximately 1.9 million shares of the iShares BTC ETF, valued at over $116 million.

The Senior Senator from MA, @ewarren, criticized me for having a large percentage of my personal wealth in Bitcoin. In fact, she proposed a Bill (written by the bank lobby) banning the self-custody of Bitcoin for everyday Americans. Yet, @Harvard – arguably, America’s most… https://t.co/rFqBCILfOV pic.twitter.com/lH7e3L2Ajm

— John E Deaton (@JohnEDeaton1) August 8, 2025

This as a result makes the Bitcoin ETF the fifth-largest holding in Harvard’s $53 billion endowment portfolio, trailing only investments in major companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Booking Holdings, and Meta.

The investment represents a notable shift as major institutions begin to embrace digital assets, despite ongoing regulatory debates. Harvard’s endowment has long been regarded as one of the most influential in the United States, with a diverse portfolio that includes investments in technology and other industries. This MOVE into Bitcoin ETFs indicates a broader acceptance of cryptocurrencies within institutional investment strategies.

SEC Approval and Growth of BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF

BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in January 2024, has seen remarkable growth since its launch. As of Thursday, the fund’s net assets reached more than $86 billion, signaling strong demand for Bitcoin exposure through traditional financial products. The SEC’s approval of this ETF is considered a landmark moment in the integration of cryptocurrency into mainstream financial markets.

Harvard’s investment in this ETF is seen as part of a broader trend where universities and large institutions gain exposure to Bitcoin in a regulated environment.

The SEC’s approval has also led to a surge in interest from other endowments and institutions looking to capitalize on the growing digital asset market. With options contracts now being expanded to 250,000, experts predict that demand for BTC ETFs will continue to rise, providing more opportunities for institutional players like Harvard.