Bitcoin News Today: BlackRock, Fidelity ETFs Power Bitcoin's $150K Ascent Despite Dip
Aime Summary
Bitcoin retreated from recent record highs in early October 2025, with the CME BitcoinBTC-- futures contract trading at $116,250 on October 19, a 2.77% decline from its previous settlement price[3]. Despite the pullback, bullish sentiment remains strong, with institutional and retail investors eyeing a potential surge to $150,000 as U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs continue to attract unprecedented inflows. The CME's three-month futures premium has narrowed to 4.3%, the lowest since October 2023, signaling reduced institutional appetite[2]. Meanwhile, ETFs managed by BlackRockBLK-- and Fidelity have drawn $4.35 billion in cumulative inflows since mid-September, propelling Bitcoin's market capitalization to $1.6 trillion[5].
The recent price correction follows a week of volatile swings, with Bitcoin oscillating between $115,000 and $126,315 over a 10-day period[3]. Historical data from the CME shows Bitcoin futures trading at $117,265 on September 12 and declining to $115,265 by September 19, reflecting short-term profit-taking after hitting a record high of $126,835 in late September[1]. Analysts attribute the pullback to reduced hedge fund arbitrage activity and bearish sentiment in perpetual futures markets, where negative funding rates have emerged as a key indicator of short-term positioning[2]. However, the RSI indicator remains in overbought territory, suggesting potential for a rebound[5].
Bitcoin ETFs have become a critical driver of market dynamics. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $1.21 billion in net inflows on October 6, the largest single-day inflow of 2025[5]. BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led the charge with $969.95 million in inflows, while Fidelity's Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund added $69.58 million[6]. These inflows have pushed total ETF assets under management (AUM) to $169.48 billion, representing 6.79% of Bitcoin's market cap[5]. The surge in institutional demand has coincided with Bitcoin's price rising above $123,996 in mid-October, breaking past the $120,000 psychological level[6].
Technical analysis suggests the $117,650 support level is critical for sustaining bullish momentum. A breakdown below this threshold could trigger a retest of the $114,000 level, while a sustained close above $126,000 would validate the $150,000 target[5]. The 50-day and 200-day moving averages are converging at $121,000, indicating a potential consolidation phase before the next leg higher. However, bearish indicators such as the inverted CME-to-spot basis and deeply negative perpetual funding rates highlight risks of short-term volatility[2].
Market participants remain divided on the timing of a $150,000 breakout. While ETF inflows and the U.S. Federal Reserve's rate-cut expectations provide tailwinds, regulatory uncertainties and macroeconomic headwinds could delay the target. The U.S. government shutdown in October temporarily stalled new ETF approvals, creating bottlenecks for altcoin ETFs[6]. Additionally, Bitcoin's correlation with the S&P 500 has strengthened, with both assets showing inverse movement to the U.S. dollar index. Institutional adoption of Bitcoin ETFs is expected to continue reshaping market dynamics, potentially reducing volatility and enhancing liquidity as the asset class matures.
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