Emory University Increases Bitcoin and Gold ETF Holdings in Endowment
Emory University has expanded its exposure to bitcoin and added gold to its endowment portfolio, signaling a measured shift toward 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. This marks a substantial increase from just under 500,000 shares at the end of the second quarter. The university first reported a position in the Grayscale trust in October 2024, initially valued at just over $15 million.
Emory’s smaller stake in BlackRock’s spot bitcoin ETF remained unchanged at approximately $290,000. Meanwhile, the endowment also opened a position in BlackRock’s iShares Gold Trust (IAU), totaling nearly $79 million by the close of Q3.
The university slightly increased its holdings in crypto exchange Coinbase (COIN) to roughly 4,500 shares, worth about $1.2 million, up from 4,312 shares held since last year.
Endowments traditionally favor conservative, long-term strategies to support institutions like universities, hospitals, and nonprofits. Emory’s growing allocation to bitcoin via regulated ETFs highlights a cautious but notable embrace of digital assets.
While still a modest portion of the overall portfolio, the university’s moves indicate rising confidence in crypto exposure through familiar, regulated investment vehicles, and a broader interest in hard assets.
