Brown University Becomes First Ivy League Institution to Invest in Bitcoin
Brown University, one of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in the United States, has officially entered the world of cryptocurrency investment. According to a recently filed 13F report, the university disclosed ownership of 105,000 shares of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) as of March 31, 2025.
This strategic acquisition positions Brown as the first Ivy League university to purchase Bitcoin through a regulated exchange-traded fund, joining the ranks of Emory University and The University of Austin (UATX)—both of which have made similar moves in recent quarters.
A Significant Milestone for Institutional Crypto Adoption
With an endowment portfolio valued at $7.2 billion, Brown University has long been recognized for its diversified investment strategies, which include private equity, fixed income, real estate, and short-term instruments. In 2024, the institution reported an impressive 11.3% return, amounting to $728 million.
The inclusion of Bitcoin via IBIT reflects a growing institutional confidence in digital assets and their long-term value.
"The decision marks a new era of institutional trust in Bitcoin," says a financial analyst not associated with the university.
Bitcoin ETFs Gain Massive Traction
Brown’s move comes amid a surge in U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF inflows, which totaled approximately $2.8 billion over the past five trading days alone. Notably, the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) accounted for $1.3 billion of these inflows, underlining its growing appeal among large-scale investors.
During this period, Bitcoin’s price surged from $85,000 to $94,000, highlighting the ETF’s influence on market dynamics.
IBIT’s Rising Profile in the ETF Ecosystem
At present, IBIT boasts a market capitalization of $54 billion and recorded $1.5 billion in trading volume on Thursday. While still trailing far behind the world’s largest ETF—Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), which stands at $593.5 billion—IBIT’s trajectory is gaining momentum.
Michael Saylor, Chairman of MicroStrategy (MSTR), confidently stated at the Bitcoin Standard Corporation’s Investor Day:
“IBIT will be the biggest ETF in the world in ten years.”
Although this claim is bold and speculative, it highlights the growing optimism among Bitcoin proponents regarding its long-term institutional integration.
A Symbolic Step for Academia and Finance
Brown University’s Bitcoin investment is not just a financial move—it's a symbolic endorsement of blockchain technology from a centuries-old academic powerhouse. As other Ivy League schools watch from the sidelines, Brown has cemented its place as a trailblazer in this evolving digital landscape.
