TL;DR
BlackRock has executed one of the largest cryptocurrency moves of the year, with $980 million worth of Bitcoin outflows recorded on September 23. The transfers, tracked by Arkham, coincided with a period of heightened volatility in the digital asset market. The timing has fueled speculation among traders about whether another wave of institutional selling could be underway as global monetary policy shifts continue to pressure risk assets.
The nearly $1 billion in Bitcoin leaving BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has raised eyebrows across the industry. While some observers interpret the move as a bearish signal, the mechanics of spot Bitcoin ETFs suggest otherwise. Outflows occur when authorized participants redeem ETF shares, requiring the trust to sell Bitcoin and return cash. This process, visible as transfers from Coinbase custodian wallets, reflects investor redemptions rather than discretionary selling by BlackRock itself.
At the time of the transfers, Bitcoin was trading below $113,000. The asset showed a modest 0.49% gain on the day but remained down 2.20% over the week. The volatility has been amplified by broader macroeconomic conditions, particularly the impact of shifting monetary policy. Despite the outflows, BlackRock remains the largest crypto fund, holding over $87.5 billion worth of Bitcoin, underscoring its dominant position in the institutional digital asset landscape.
Bitcoin was not the only digital asset affected. Spot Ethereum ETFs experienced $76 million in outflows on September 22, with BlackRock accounting for $15.1 million of that total. The timing was notable, coming just days after BlackRock’s $500 million buying spree and a broader $1.9 billion in net inflows across crypto funds the previous week. While Bitcoin funds led with $977 million in inflows during that period, Ethereum added $772 million, bringing its year-to-date total to approximately $12.6 billion.
The U.S. SEC has introduced new listing standards for NASDAQ, Cboe, and NYSE, reducing approval times for spot crypto ETFs from more than 200 days to as few as 75. This regulatory shift is expected to accelerate the launch of new products, with speculation already building around potential Solana ETFs. For now, the market remains focused on whether institutional flows will stabilize or trigger further volatility in the weeks ahead.
Also read: CleanSpark Secures $100M Coinbase Credit Line for Growth: Report
