Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin's Institutional Revolution: ETFs and Corporations Drive $97B Surge

Bitcoin's price surged past $121,500 in late October 2025, reclaiming a key psychological threshold as BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) surpassed 800,000 BTC in assets under management (AUM), reaching $97 billion. The fund's growth reflects sustained institutional demand, with net inflows exceeding $4 billion in a single week and daily purchases hitting $426.2 million in early October. The ETF now controls 3.8% of Bitcoin's total supply, outpacing corporate treasuries like MicroStrategy's 640,031 BTC holdings, which account for 3.1% of the supply BlackRock’s bitcoin ETF hits 800,000 BTC in AUM after $4 billion inflow^[1].

The IBIT ETF's success is part of a broader trend of institutional adoption, with U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs attracting over $63 billion in inflows since their debut. BlackRock's fund alone captured $4.1 billion in seven days, representing 10% of all ETF flows, according to Bloomberg Senior ETF Analyst Eric Balchunas. The sector's momentum is underscored by reduced geopolitical risks, including the U.S.-brokered Middle East peace framework, which has stabilized market sentiment BlackRock’s bitcoin ETF hits 800,000 BTC in AUM after $4 billion inflow^[1].

Bitcoin's price surge, up 76% from $69,000 in March 2024, has amplified investor confidence. This growth aligns with the ETF's rapid accumulation, as the fund's AUM now reflects a strategic shift in how corporations and institutions view Bitcoin. Timothy Misir of BRN noted that expanding corporate treasury participation-such as companies holding Bitcoin as a reserve asset-has bolstered its narrative as a strategic hedge against inflation and macroeconomic volatility BlackRock’s bitcoin ETF hits 800,000 BTC in AUM after $4 billion inflow^[1].

The Federal Reserve's rate cuts in 2025 further supported Bitcoin's ascent. The first reduction in September 2025, lowering the federal funds rate by 25 basis points, eased borrowing costs and weakened the U.S. dollar, historically benefiting risk assets. Analysts like Shawn Young of MEXC highlighted that lower rates could drive Bitcoin toward $120,000–$125,000, while altcoins may see renewed liquidity if macroeconomic conditions improve. However, stagflation risks and liquidity shifts remain concerns for altcoins .

Corporate Bitcoin adoption also played a role, with public companies holding 1.3 million BTC in treasuries by mid-2025-6.2% of the total supply. While demand slowed in late 2025, firms like MicroStrategy and Mara Holdings continued to expand holdings. The River Business Report 2025 noted that 75% of corporate Bitcoin adopters were small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, allocating a median 10% of net income to Bitcoin through dollar-cost averaging (DCA) strategies Fed Rate Cut 2025: What It Means for Crypto Investors^[4].

Despite these developments, challenges persist. Illiquid markets, regulatory uncertainty, and macroeconomic headwinds could dampen Bitcoin's growth. However, the convergence of ETF inflows, corporate adoption, and accommodative monetary policy suggests a structural shift in Bitcoin's role as a strategic asset. As Larry Fink of BlackRock remarked in 2024, Bitcoin's rapid adoption defied earlier skepticism, cementing its place in the institutional finance landscape BlackRock’s bitcoin ETF hits 800,000 BTC in AUM after $4 billion inflow^[1].