Bitcoin ETFs See Biggest Inflow in 3 Months as BlackRock Signals Crypto’s Structural Shift

Bitcoin ETFs (exchange-traded funds) recorded their largest single-day inflow in three months on January 5, pulling in nearly $695 million. The positive flows come as institutional demand rebounded sharply at the start of 2026.

The surge was led by BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which attracted $371.9 million, followed by Fidelity’s FBTC with $191.2 million, according to data on SoSoValue.

Institutional Inflows Mark Record Day for Bitcoin ETFs

Indeed, institutional demand rebounded sharply at the start of 2026, with Friday, in particular, seeing $671 million in inflows.

The strong inflows marked a broad-based move across the ETF complex rather than a one-off allocation. Bitwise’s BITB added $38.5 million, Ark’s ARKB brought in $36 million, while Invesco, Franklin Templeton, Valkyrie, and VanEck all posted positive net flows.

1/5 Bitcoin ETF Total Net Flow: +$694.67 million
"Largest inflow in three months as trading volume rebounds."$IBIT (BlackRock): +$371.89m$FBTC (Fidelity): +$191.19m$BITB (Bitwise): +$38.45m$ARKB (Ark): +$36.03m$BTCO (Invesco): +$15.02m$EZBC (Franklin): +$13.64m$BRRR… https://t.co/jY4oO9yZU9 pic.twitter.com/hhVJ1pEE01

— Trader T (@thepfund) January 6, 2026

Notably, Grayscale’s legacy GBTC recorded zero outflows for the day. This marks a significant shift, following more than $25 billion in cumulative withdrawals since its conversion to a trust structure.

Bitcoin ETF Flows. Source: SoSoValue

Trading activity rebounded alongside the inflows, signaling renewed institutional engagement after a quieter December.

The synchronized buying presents as portfolio rebalancing rather than speculative momentum chasing, with Bitcoin holding above the $90,000 level throughout the session.

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Performance. Source:  BeInCrypto

Institutional appetite is also extending beyond Bitcoin. Whale Insider reported that BlackRock clients purchased 31,737 ETH, worth approximately $100.2 million.

JUST IN: BlackRock clients buy 31,737 $ETH worth $100.23 million. pic.twitter.com/LCbBrAWOe6

— Whale Insider (@WhaleInsider) January 6, 2026

This highlights continued accumulation of Ethereum alongside spot Bitcoin exposure, with spot ETH ETF inflows reaching $168.13 million on Friday.

Spot ETH ETF Flows. Source: SoSoValue

The move suggests large allocators are positioning across multiple digital assets as crypto becomes increasingly embedded in long-term investment strategies.

BlackRock Reframes Crypto as Financial Infrastructure, Not a Trade

The timing of the ETF inflows coincides with BlackRock’s release of a new investment outlook. The asset manager reframes crypto as a core component of the global financial system rather than an experimental asset class.

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