TLDR
- BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) acquired 5,250 BTC ($528 million) in a single day, representing 12 times the daily Bitcoin production rate, demonstrating strong institutional demand
- Bitcoin price surpassed $100,000, reaching $101,334 with an 8% weekly gain and significant short liquidations totaling $50 million
- BlackRock expanded its Bitcoin ETF offerings to Canada’s CBOE exchange, while Fidelity adjusted its fees to remain competitive at 32 basis points
- Bitcoin exchange balances hit a 7-year low, suggesting a potential supply shock that could support further price increases
- Technical analysis indicates $102,500 as a key resistance level that needs to be cleared to confirm a new uptrend
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has made a bold statement in the cryptocurrency market by acquiring 5,250 Bitcoin in a single day, valued at approximately $528 million. This purchase, executed on Thursday, represents twelve times the daily Bitcoin production rate, highlighting the growing institutional appetite for the leading cryptocurrency.
The massive acquisition comes as Bitcoin maintains its position above the $100,000 mark, trading at $101,334 with a 2% daily increase. The total market capitalization of Bitcoin has surpassed $2 trillion, marking a new milestone for the digital asset.
IBIT’s dominance in the ETF space becomes apparent when examining the day’s total net inflows of $626 million, with BlackRock’s product capturing 85% of all Bitcoin ETF inflows. Ark Invest’s ARKB secured the second position with inflows exceeding $155 million.
The institutional momentum continues to build as BlackRock expands its Bitcoin ETF offerings internationally. The asset management giant recently launched a Bitcoin ETF variant on Canada’s CBOE exchange, responding to increasing global demand for cryptocurrency investment products.
Competition in the space remains fierce, with Fidelity making strategic moves to maintain its market position. The firm adjusted its fee structure for its Canadian Bitcoin ETF to 32 basis points, matching BlackRock’s competitive pricing.
Fidelity is cutting the fee on its Canada bitcoin ETF to 32bps to match BlackRock who just launched one up there at 32bps. Both are now the cheapest in the market. US issuers bringing some terrordome action to Canada. (note the Fidelity guy is going on Reddit to answer qs) pic.twitter.com/667Lz4gCp3
— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) January 16, 2025
Since its inception in early 2025, IBIT has experienced varying patterns of inflows and outflows, accumulating $55.691 billion in net assets under management. The rapid growth of the Bitcoin ETF stands in stark contrast to traditional investment vehicles, as BlackRock’s gold ETF required two decades to achieve similar assets under management.
The market impact of institutional buying becomes evident in the weekly performance metrics. Bitcoin has recorded an 8% gain over the past week, with short liquidations reaching $50 million out of the total $90 million in market-wide liquidations.
On-chain data reveals a compelling narrative as Bitcoin exchange balances drop to their lowest levels in seven years. This reduction in available supply on exchanges typically indicates strong holder conviction and could contribute to upward price pressure.
Technical analysis suggests that while Bitcoin has cleared initial resistance levels, the $102,500 mark remains crucial for confirming a new uptrend. Failure to breach this level could result in a period of sideways price action within the established range.
The broader market structure shows strength above key support levels. Bitcoin maintains its position above both $100,500 and the 100-hour Simple Moving Average, indicating robust market sentiment.
Trading volumes have remained healthy, with institutional participation driving market activity. The steady influx of institutional capital through ETF products continues to absorb available supply from the market.
Market observers note the evolving dynamics between spot and derivatives markets. The latest data shows a balanced distribution between long and short positions, suggesting a mature market structure.
BlackRock’s expansion into the Canadian market adds a new dimension to the institutional adoption narrative. The move highlights the growing global appetite for regulated Bitcoin investment products.
The timing of IBIT’s substantial purchase coincides with favorable macroeconomic conditions, including recent core CPI data that showed a decrease for December. These factors have contributed to the supportive environment for Bitcoin’s price action.
Looking at immediate market levels, Bitcoin faces resistance at $102,000, followed by $102,500. Support levels are established at $100,500 and $100,000, providing a foundation for current price action.
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