News Summary
Brown University has become the third U.S. institution to invest in Bitcoin by acquiring a stake in BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF, with a $4.9 million investment. The university’s decision reflects a growing confidence in Bitcoin as a long-term asset, aligning with trends in higher education as institutions begin to diversify their endowment portfolios with cryptocurrency. Brown also reported an impressive return on its endowment, demonstrating the cautious yet significant embrace of digital assets.
Providence, Rhode Island — Brown University has made headlines by acquiring a stake in BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF (IBIT), with a reported investment totaling $4.9 million as per a recent SEC filing. This move positions Brown University as the third U.S. institution to invest in Bitcoin, following Emory University and the University of Austin (UATX).
As of March 31, 2025, Brown University holds approximately 105,000 shares of the IBIT Bitcoin ETF, categorizing this acquisition as a new addition to its endowment portfolio during the first quarter of fiscal 2025. The total value of all 14 positions listed in Brown’s SEC filing reached an impressive $216 million, demonstrating the university’s diverse investment strategy.
Brown University’s recent investment reflects an increasing confidence among U.S. universities regarding the long-term potential of Bitcoin as a viable asset in their endowment portfolios. This trend indicates a broader acceptance of cryptocurrency within the academic community, often viewed historically with skepticism.
Emory University, which disclosed its Bitcoin holdings in an SEC filing on October 25, holds nearly 2.7 million shares of the Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF, with an original valuation of $15.1 million, which has now risen to an estimated value of over $21 million due to the increasing Bitcoin prices. By opting for well-established entities like Grayscale or BlackRock, universities are looking to minimize the complexities associated with direct Bitcoin management, according to analysts.
Meanwhile, the University of Austin has taken a proactive approach by collaborating with Bitcoin financial services firm Unchained in May 2024, aiming to raise $5 million in Bitcoin for its endowment. This partnership underscores a commitment to integrate Bitcoin into their long-term investment strategies in alignment with modern academic values.
With an endowment valued at about $7.2 billion, Brown University has achieved an 11.3% return in the fiscal year 2024, placing it second among Ivy League institutions. The university’s allocation to Bitcoin via the IBIT ETF represents less than 0.07% of its total investment portfolio. This minimal allocation highlights a cautious yet significant embrace of cryptocurrencies as a legitimate asset class.
Other institutions throughout the U.S., such as the State of Wisconsin Investment Board and the Michigan Retirement System, have also begun incorporating cryptocurrency ETFs into their investment strategies. Analysts at BlackRock indicate that holding a small portion of Bitcoin—between 1% and 2%—is comparable in risk to owning shares in established technology companies, making it an attractive option for diversified portfolios.
Moreover, the University of Austin’s commitment to its Bitcoin investment is noteworthy, with the institution planning to retain its $200 million endowment in Bitcoin for a minimum of five years, illustrating a steadfast approach to embracing cryptocurrency within higher education.
The decision by Brown University, alongside movements from its peers, signifies a pivotal transformation in how academic institutions are approaching cryptocurrency investments. By venturing into the crypto market, these universities are not only diversifying their endowment portfolios but also reinforcing Bitcoin’s potential as an emerging asset class in the financial landscape.
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Additional Resources
- NASDAQ: Brown University Invests in Bitcoin ETF
- Wikipedia: Bitcoin
- AI-CIO: Brown University Endowment Additions
- Google Search: Brown University Bitcoin ETF
- Pensions & Investments: Brown University’s ETF Investment
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Exchange-Traded Fund
- Daily HODL: Brown University Follows Ivy League Trend
- Google News: Cryptocurrency Investments in Universities
