Brown University invests $4.9m in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF

Brown University has revealed a new $4.9 million investment in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust.

This investment stems from a 13F filing, which reveals that 105,000 shares were purchased, marking the university’s initial reported investment in a spot Bitcoin ETF.

The position, acquired sometime in the first quarter of 2025, underscores growing institutional interest in Bitcoin (BTC) through regulated financial instruments. 

Brown’s total disclosed equity holdings in the filing stood at $216 million across 14 positions, placing the IBIT stake at roughly 2.3% of the portfolio’s value.

BlackRock’s IBIT has been a key player in the wave of spot Bitcoin ETFs that received SEC approval in January 2024. 

The ETF quickly gained traction among professional investors and now counts several institutions, ranging from hedge funds to pensions and now an Ivy League university, as shareholders.

Universities buying Bitcoin 

University endowments have historically been cautious about digital assets, often favoring indirect exposure or avoiding the space entirely. 

Brown’s move may signal a shift in institutional risk appetite toward regulated Bitcoin products.

The University of Austin launched a $5 million Bitcoin fund as part of its $200 million endowment strategy. Announced in February, the fund was created in partnership with Unchained, which managed custody of the Bitcoin holdings. 

The university committed to holding the Bitcoin for at least five years, viewing it as a long-term asset similar to stocks or real estate. 

Other universities, including Emory and Stanford, also gained exposure to Bitcoin through investments in Grayscale’s Bitcoin Mini Trust and BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF.