Bitcoin News Today: Brown University Doubles Bitcoin ETF Holdings to $13M in Q2 2025

Brown University has significantly increased its position in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), a spot Bitcoin ETF, doubling its holdings to 212,500 shares valued at approximately $13 million as of June 30, 2025 [6]. This move marks a notable step in institutional adoption of regulated cryptocurrency products and reflects a growing trend among top-tier educational institutions to integrate digital assets into their endowment strategies.

The investment comes amid a broader inflow into Bitcoin ETFs, with BlackRock’s IBIT alone experiencing $403 million in net inflows during the second quarter of 2025 [1]. The fund now holds 738,000 BTC and has surpassed $84 billion in assets under management [4], highlighting the rising confidence in both the ETF structure and Bitcoin as an investable asset.

Brown’s decision aligns with similar actions by other prestigious institutions. Harvard University, for instance, has disclosed a $117 million investment in the same ETF as of the end of the second quarter of 2025 [2]. Harvard’s allocation has become the fifth-largest in its endowment portfolio, outpacing its stake in Alphabet (Google’s parent company) [1]. These investments represent a strategic diversification into alternative assets, with Bitcoin ETFs increasingly seen as a critical element of long-term portfolio planning.

The ETF structure allows institutions like Brown and Harvard to gain exposure to Bitcoin in a regulated, transparent, and custodial-compliant manner, avoiding many of the operational and regulatory complexities of direct ownership [9]. This is especially important for large endowments, which must adhere to strict governance and compliance frameworks.

The combined actions of Brown and Harvard signal a broader institutional embrace of Bitcoin as both a hedging and growth asset. The unique characteristics of Bitcoin—such as its scarcity, decentralized nature, and cross-border utility—make it an appealing addition to diversified portfolios seeking uncorrelated returns [9]. The use of regulated ETFs enhances this appeal by mitigating risks associated with custody, settlement, and compliance.

These developments suggest that institutional adoption of Bitcoin is moving beyond speculation into a more strategic and calculated allocation. As more universities and endowments follow similar investment paths, the legitimacy of Bitcoin as a financial asset continues to strengthen within mainstream institutional investing [1].

Source:

[1] Yahoo, [URL](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/harvard-pours-117m-bitcoin-etf-091919514.html)

[2] AInvest, [URL](https://www.ainvest.com/news/harvard-university-endowment-invests-117m-bitcoin-etf-surpassing-stakes-google-nvidia-2508/)

[4] CryptoTicker, [URL](https://cryptoticker.io/en/harvard-buys-dollar117-million-in-bitcoin/)

[6] FastBull, [URL](https://m.fastbull.com/en/news-detail/harvard-enters-the-crypto-market-with-blackrocks-bitcoin-news_6100_0_2025_3_7014_3)

[9] Bitcoinist.com, [URL](https://bitcoinist.com/harvard-discloses-117m-blackrocks-spot-bitcoin-etf/)

[12] FastBull, [URL](https://m.fastbull.com/en/news-detail/ripple-xrp-price-explosion-next-targets-for-cardano-news_6100_0_2025_3_7012_3)