Emory University’s Bitcoin ETF Investment Hits $51.8M in Q3 as US Universities Eye BTC

Highlights:

• Emory University doubles Bitcoin ETF holdings, now valued at about $51.8 million.
• U.S. universities expand Bitcoin investments, with Harvard and Brown reporting large IBIT stakes.
• Hesperides University launches the world’s first Master’s program fully dedicated to Bitcoin studies.

Emory University, a leading private research university in Georgia, has increased its investment in Grayscale’s Bitcoin Mini Trust Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). The university now holds more than 1 million shares, valued at approximately $51.8 million, as reported in a recent quarterly filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 

JUST IN: 🇺🇸 Emory University increases its #Bitcoin ETF position by 91%.

They now hold $51.8 million in Bitcoin ETF pic.twitter.com/08f7gAQNrf

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) November 12, 2025

Emory Expands Its Bitcoin ETF Position

The recent purchase nearly doubles Emory’s previous holdings. Since the second quarter, the university added 487,636 shares worth about $25 million. Emory initially invested $15 million in the Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF last October, making it one of the first U.S. universities to disclose ownership of a Bitcoin ETF. Besides the Grayscale ETF, Emory University owns 4,450 shares of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT), worth around $290,000. This holding was reported in the second quarter, and the university has not changed it since.

Grayscale’s Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF started in July last year and trades under the ticker BTC. It is a smaller version of Grayscale’s original Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC), which began trading last January. The original GBTC ETF charges a 1.5% yearly fee, but the Mini Trust ETF is Grayscale’s lowest-cost Bitcoin fund, with a 0.15% fee. It was launched by distributing 10% of GBTC’s Bitcoin to start the fund.

U.S. Universities Increase Bitcoin ETF Stakes

Even though the ETF has a low fee, it saw large investor outflows. Grayscale’s Bitcoin ETFs lost $21.3 billion last year. In comparison, other Bitcoin ETFs, especially BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETFs, gained $48.7 billion in the same year.

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF is also continuing to outperform Grayscale’s funds this year. Institutional interest in spot Bitcoin ETFs is growing among U.S. universities. Harvard University’s endowment disclosed ownership of 1.9 million shares of BlackRock’s IBIT as of June 30. Meanwhile, Brown University reported holding 105,000 shares of IBIT as of March 31.

JUST IN: Brown University holds 105,000 shares of BlackRock’s IBIT #Bitcoin ETF, valued at $4.9M as of March 31 — per MacroScope. pic.twitter.com/yLvjXXmu1G

— The Moon Show (@TheMoonShow) May 2, 2025

Hesperides University Launches World’s First Master’s Program Fully Dedicated to Bitcoin

Universities are not only investing in Bitcoin-related funds but also launching dedicated programs. Hesperides University has recently introduced a Master’s in Bitcoin program, the first English-language degree fully focused on Bitcoin. Unlike most universities, which include Bitcoin in broader “crypto” or “blockchain” courses, this program explores Bitcoin’s technology, economics, and societal impact on its own.

Kristýna Mazánková, Director of the program, said that Bitcoin has long been treated as a side topic in universities. She added that the program highlights Bitcoin as a serious subject, both as a technology and as a tool supporting human freedom. The program combines theory and practice, covering monetary theory, philosophy, journalism, energy, cryptography, and economics. Faculty includes global educators and professionals active in the Bitcoin ecosystem.

The Master’s program is entirely online, designed to suit working professionals’ calendars. Applications for admission to this program will open in January of next year, and early registration is possible via the university website.