Bitcoin News Today: Institutions Recalibrate Portfolios as Bitcoin ETFs Lose $2.1 Billion

BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), the largest U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF, recorded its biggest single-day outflow on record at $523 million on November 19, deepening a broader selloff in crypto assets as institutional investors recalibrate portfolios amid macroeconomic uncertainty. The outflow marked the fifth consecutive day of redemptions from the fund, which has now seen $2.1 billion in November withdrawals alone, accounting for nearly 70% of the $3.79 billion in net outflows across all 11 U.S. Bitcoin ETFs this month. The exodus has pushed Bitcoin's price below $90,000, a 30% drop from its October peak, and put the asset on track for its worst monthly performance since the 2022 crypto crash.

The selloff contrasts with historical trends: November has averaged 41.22% gains for Bitcoin over the past decade. Analysts attribute the reversal to a combination of factors, including speculative profit-taking after a year-long bull run, uncertainty around the Federal Reserve's December rate decision, and macroeconomic headwinds. "ETF outflows combined with long-term holder sales have tightened market liquidity, pushing short-term Bitcoin prices lower and highlighting weakening market confidence," said Pepperstone's Dilin Wu. Meanwhile, BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF has lost nearly $2.2 billion in assets this month, despite amassing $26 billion in inflows in 2025.

The redemptions reflect a broader shift in institutional sentiment. While Bitcoin ETFs were the primary driver of the asset's momentum in 2025, recent data shows investors prioritizing risk mitigation. "Record-high IBIT outflows signal institutional recalibration, not capitulation," said Kronos Research's Vincent Liu. "Big allocators are trimming risk, tightening exposure, and testing entry points until macro signals turn clear." This contrasts with Ethereum, where spot ETFs have seen $1.79 billion in outflows, though Ethereum's long-term fundamentals remain intact amid anticipation of the Dencun upgrade in early 2026.

Market participants are also watching divergent flows in altcoin ETFs. While Bitcoin and Ethereum face sustained outflows, Solana ETFs extended their inflow streak to 16 days, accumulating $420 million in net assets. This bifurcation underscores a growing appetite for yield-driven alternatives as investors seek higher returns in a low-yield environment.

BlackRock's dominance in the Bitcoin ETF space remains unchallenged, with IBIT holding $72.76 billion in assets. However, the recent outflows highlight the fragility of momentum-driven capital flows. "With ongoing concerns about the resilience of the U.S. job market and the probability of a December rate cut slipping to barely above a coin-toss, there's very little in the macro backdrop giving traders a reason to stay bullish into the close of the year," said Derive.xyz's Sean Dawson.

Despite the near-term turbulence, BlackRock and other institutional players continue to position Bitcoin as a store of value rather than a payment asset. This aligns with the firm's broader strategy of integrating digital assets into traditional portfolios, even as short-term volatility persists. The challenge now is whether macroeconomic clarity and renewed inflows can rekindle the momentum that initially propelled Bitcoin to record highs.