BlackRock Bitcoin, Ethereum ETF See Red as $160M Exits

Key insights:

• Bitcoin ETF recorded $147.4 million in net outflows, as per the latest market data.
• BlackRock clients reduced Bitcoin and Ethereum exposure by about $161.8 million in one session.
• Ethereum exchange-traded funds posted $63.6 million in outflows, with BlackRock selling roughly $59 million.
• Market commentators flagged the moves ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve rate decision.

BlackRock Bitcoin ETF outflows accelerated during the final week of January, pressuring market sentiment. Multiple data trackers reported sharp redemptions across Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds on Monday.

The moves marked the first red session of the week and followed several days of fragile flows.

Coin Bureau said BlackRock clients offloaded a combined $161.8 million in Bitcoin and Ethereum exposure. Bitcoin ETF products alone recorded $147.4 million in net outflows during the session.

Ethereum ETFs added further pressure, losing $63.6 million, according to the same data. These figures placed BlackRock Bitcoin ETF outflows at the center of broader market caution.

Investors tracked flows closely as the U.S. Federal Reserve prepared for its interest rate decision. ETF activity remained a near-term sentiment gauge for institutional risk appetite.

Bitcoin ETF Selling Picked Up Across Major Products

Coin Bureau reported that Bitcoin ETF products accounted for most of the day’s redemptions. The data showed $147.4 million exiting Bitcoin ETF in a single session. BlackRock-linked products represented a meaningful share of those losses.

Crypto Rover said BlackRock sold $102.8 million worth of Bitcoin during the same period. The account framed the transaction as part of broader institutional de-risking.

No on-chain transfer details accompanied the claim, but timing aligned with reported ETF flows.

Bitcoin ETF selling reflected cautious positioning rather than panic liquidation. Flows turned negative after several sessions of mixed inflows earlier in January.

Market participants treated ETF demand as a short-term proxy for institutional confidence.

Ethereum ETF Outflows Added To The Pressure

Ethereum ETF extended the weakness as capital rotated out of risk assets. Ted Pillows said Ethereum ETF products recorded $63.6 million in outflows on the day.

The data placed BlackRock’s Ethereum exposure at the center of the drawdown. This has further sparked concerns amid the ongoing outflow from the US Spot Bitcoin ETF.

Ted Pillows added that BlackRock sold roughly $59 million worth of Ethereum. That figure aligned closely with Coin Bureau’s aggregate Ethereum ETF outflow estimate.

The overlap suggested BlackRock-linked products drove most of the Ethereum redemptions.

Ethereum ETF flows had remained fragile throughout January. The latest session reinforced the pattern of uneven demand since approvals.

Traders interpreted the data as tactical positioning rather than a structural shift.

Claims Of Aggressive Bitcoin Selling Raised Alarm

Social media commentary amplified concerns around BlackRock Bitcoin ETF outflows. 0xNobler claimed BlackRock sold up to $300 million worth of Bitcoin ahead of the Federal Reserve decision.

The account warned that selling continued “every few minutes.”

No independent data confirmed the $300 million figure at the time of reporting. However, the claim added urgency to existing concerns around ETF-driven selling. Market participants treated the comments cautiously but noted the broader alignment with reported outflows.

Such claims highlighted the sensitivity surrounding Bitcoin ETF flows. Even unverified figures influenced short-term sentiment during thin liquidity periods. Traders monitored official flow data rather than relying on single-source estimates.

Why BlackRock Bitcoin ETF Outflows Mattered Now

BlackRock Bitcoin ETF outflows carried extra weight due to timing. The moves occurred during the final week of January, a period often associated with portfolio rebalancing.

Investors also positioned ahead of key macro events. The Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision loomed over global risk markets.

Equity and crypto traders reduced exposure amid policy uncertainty. Bitcoin ETF flows reflected that broader defensive posture.

ETF demand had served as a stabilizing force earlier in the month. When flows turned negative, price action grew more sensitive to macro headlines. That shift placed added focus on daily ETF data.

Market Reaction Remained Orderly Despite Red Flows

Bitcoin (BTC) price action remained relatively contained despite reported outflows. The market avoided sharp liquidation cascades seen during prior Bitcoin ETF outflows. That behavior suggested measured selling rather than forced exits.

Liquidity conditions stayed stable across major trading venues. Derivatives funding rates showed no extreme imbalance during the session. The absence of stress indicators tempered immediate downside fears.

Ethereum followed a similar pattern, tracking broader market moves. The asset reflected ETF weakness without showing signs of disorderly trading. Traders viewed the session as corrective rather than trend-defining.

What Traders Watched After The Outflows?

BlackRock Bitcoin ETF outflows shifted focus toward near-term confirmation signals. Market participants watched whether selling persisted into subsequent sessions. A quick stabilization would signal temporary risk reduction.

Attention also turned to cumulative weekly ETF data. Single-day redemptions carried less weight than sustained multi-day trends. Analysts monitored whether inflows returned after the Federal Reserve announcement.

Bitcoin ETF behavior remained closely tied to macro clarity. Any shift in rate expectations could influence institutional positioning. Until then, flows continued to act as a cautionary indicator rather than a directional verdict.