Bitcoin given to graduates of Jay-Z and Jack Dorsey’s Bitcoin Academy has increased sharply in value, rising 396 percent in three years. Each participant who received about $1,000 worth of Bitcoin in 2022 now holds digital assets worth roughly $4,960.
The Bitcoin Academy launched in June 2022 as a free 12-week program for residents of the Marcy Houses public housing complex in Brooklyn, where Jay-Z grew up.
The program taught basic cryptocurrency skills, including how to set up wallets, make peer-to-peer transactions, and understand Bitcoin’s role in financial independence. It was funded by the Shawn Carter Foundation and Dorsey’s company Block.
On September 8, 2022, about 100 graduates each received an airdrop of 0.0517 BTC, worth about $1,000 at the time. Bitcoin was priced at $19,329 on that day. As of November 15, 2025, Bitcoin is trading near $95,900, pushing the value of each gift to nearly $5,000.
Jay-Z said the program aimed to give back to his community and provide tools for long-term opportunity. Dorsey said the goal was to expand access to digital financial systems for people who are often ignored by traditional banking.
The price surge gives Marcy residents new choices. They can hold the Bitcoin, spend it through merchants that accept crypto, or reinvest it in their own ventures. The increase also highlights the impact of cryptocurrency education in underserved communities.
The Bitcoin Academy has continued to grow since its launch. It now offers online resources nationwide and has inspired similar programs in other U.S. cities.
