Endowments Turn to Bitcoin and Ether as Traditional Returns Weaken
Diminished return expectations for traditional assets are pushing some university and nonprofit endowments to test allocations to bitcoin and ether as a diversification tool. Rather than large bets, many funds are piloting small, governed positions or using regulated custodians and derivatives to limit operational risk while accessing potential upside.
The trend matters because it signals growing institutional comfort with crypto as part of a multi-asset portfolio, which could increase liquidity and reshape correlations over time. Managers stress due diligence and risk controls—volatility and regulatory uncertainty remain key constraints—but continued low expected returns from stocks and bonds make crypto experiments more attractive to allocators seeking higher long-term returns.