Emory University has made headlines by investing $15 million in the Grayscale Bitcoin Mini ETF, becoming the first university in the United States to publicly announce Bitcoin holdings.
According to recent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Emory owns over 2.6 million shares in the ETF, valued at just over $15 million as of the end of September.
This investment is part of a larger trend where institutional investors are increasingly looking into digital assets, especially cryptocurrency-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
The timing of Emory’s announcement coincides with a surge in interest from institutions in crypto funds. For example, on October 24, Bitcoin ETFs saw a significant influx of $188 million, with BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust leading the charge at $165.5 million. Other funds, like Bitwise’s Bitcoin Strategy ETF, also reported positive inflows, indicating a shift in how institutions are approaching Bitcoin investments.
Interestingly, while some funds, like Grayscale’s larger Bitcoin Trust experienced outflows, the overall trend shows a growing confidence in Bitcoin among established financial players.
The Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust, which launched on July 31, 2024, has already attracted considerable attention, pulling in $18 million on its first day and an impressive $191 million on the second.
This renewed interest in Bitcoin ETFs is bolstered by recent regulatory approvals and increased participation in spot ETFs. BlackRock’s IBIT, for instance, saw its trading volume exceed $2 billion on October 25.
