Emory University Increases Bitcoin Holdings Through $52 Million Grayscale BTC ETF Investment

Emory University Expands Bitcoin and Gold ETF Holdings in Endowment

Emory University has further increased its exposure to bitcoin and diversified into gold ETFs, signaling a cautious yet growing interest in alternative assets.

As of September 30, the Georgia-based private research university held over 1 million shares of the Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust, valued at roughly $52 million at the time, up from just under 500,000 shares at the end of Q2. Emory first disclosed a position in the Grayscale trust in October 2024, initially worth just over $15 million.

The university’s smaller stake in BlackRock’s spot bitcoin ETF remained steady at approximately $290,000. Meanwhile, Emory’s endowment also initiated a position in BlackRock’s iShares Gold Trust (IAU), totaling nearly $79 million by the end of the third quarter.

Emory slightly increased its equity holding in crypto exchange Coinbase (COIN) to about 4,500 shares, worth roughly $1.2 million, compared with 4,312 shares held since last year.

Traditionally, endowments prioritize conservative, long-term investments to support institutions such as universities, hospitals, and nonprofits. Emory’s growing allocations to bitcoin via regulated ETFs reflect a cautious but meaningful shift toward alternative digital assets.

While still a small portion of the overall portfolio, these moves demonstrate the university’s increasing confidence in digital assets and regulated structures as part of a broader diversification strategy.

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