Key Takeaways
- Brown University disclosed a $4.9 million investment in BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) in its Q1 2025 SEC filing.
- The Ivy League institution joins Emory University and the University of Austin (UATX) in allocating endowment funds to Bitcoin-related assets.
- Universities increasingly view Bitcoin as a strategic long-term investment, leveraging ETFs for institutional-grade exposure.
University Endowments Embrace Bitcoin
According to a recent SEC filing, Brown University holds 105,000 shares of BlackRock’s IBIT Bitcoin ETF, valued at $4,915,050 as of March 31, 2025. This positions Brown as the third U.S. university to publicly adopt Bitcoin exposure, following Emory University and UATX.
Market analyst MacroScope highlighted the significance of this move: “The total value of all 14 positions in Brown’s filing is $216 million. This Bitcoin allocation reflects growing institutional confidence.”
👉 Why are elite universities turning to Bitcoin ETFs?
Comparative Bitcoin Adoption in Academia
Emory University’s Grayscale Investment
In October 2024, Emory disclosed owning 2.7 million shares of the Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF (BTC), initially worth $15.1 million. With Bitcoin’s price appreciation, these holdings may now exceed **$21 million**.
Emory’s CIO Srinivas Pulavarti noted: “ETF conversions necessitated public disclosure. Partnering with established firms like Grayscale mitigates custody risks.”
University of Austin’s Direct Bitcoin Strategy
UATX took a different approach in May 2024 by collaborating with Unchained to raise $5 million in Bitcoin for its endowment. Unchained CEO Joseph Kelly donated 2 BTC, emphasizing Bitcoin’s alignment with UATX’s innovative vision.
Professor Thomas Hogan added: “Bitcoin supports our mission to cultivate future leaders through sound monetary principles.”
Why Universities Choose Bitcoin ETFs
- Regulatory Compliance: ETFs simplify adherence to investment policies.
- Custody Security: Eliminates self-storage risks.
- Liquidity: Easier rebalancing vs. direct Bitcoin holdings.
👉 How do Bitcoin ETFs compare to direct ownership?
FAQs
1. Which universities own Bitcoin?
Brown, Emory, and UATX have publicly disclosed Bitcoin-related investments.
2. Why invest via ETFs instead of buying Bitcoin directly?
ETFs offer regulated, custodial solutions preferred by institutional investors.
3. How much Bitcoin does Brown University own?
Brown’s $4.9 million IBIT position equates to ~105 BTC (at $46,500/BTC).
4. Are other Ivy League schools invested in Bitcoin?
None have yet disclosed holdings—Brown leads the trend.
5. What’s the long-term outlook for university Bitcoin adoption?
Expect more endowments to allocate 1–5% to Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation.
Conclusion
Brown University’s IBIT investment signals a broader institutional shift toward Bitcoin as a store of value. With ETFs lowering entry barriers, academia is poised to drive mainstream crypto adoption.
For deeper insights on institutional Bitcoin strategies, explore our resources below.
👉 Institutional Bitcoin Investment Guide