Dartmouth Endowment Expands Crypto Exposure with Regulated Exchange-Traded Funds

Dartmouth College's $9 billion endowment has quietly expanded its exposure to digital assets, with significant holdings in regulated cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) reported in a recent SEC filing. The move marks a shift towards a broader, stake-based crypto approach rather than concentrated bets, reflecting a growing interest among institutions in listed crypto access vehicles.

The endowment now holds approximately $3.3 million in the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF and $7.7 million in BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin ETF, according to the SEC filing for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. This development follows a trend among top-tier universities experimenting with regulated access to digital assets, with Harvard's endowment also reported to hold positions in Bitcoin and Ethereum Trusts.

The regulatory backdrop supports this trend, with the SEC having approved spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024 and gradually expanding to other crypto-linked ETFs. This evolution offers regulated, transparent access routes that fit traditional fiduciary frameworks, making it easier for institutions to allocate to digital assets while balancing risk with potential yield.