BlackRock Drops $753M on Bitcoin – 3-Month Record Smashed

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has made a significant move in the cryptocurrency market. It purchased $878 million worth of Bitcoin and $149 million worth of Ether in just three consecutive days, according to on-chain data. The combined total of these purchases reached approximately $1.03 billion according to reports. The accumulation occurred as Bitcoin and Ether faced market weakness, not during a breakout phase as data shows.

On January 6, BlackRock alone acquired 3,948 Bitcoin, valued at $371.9 million, and 31,737 Ether worth $100.2 million according to transaction records. These transactions marked the largest single-day intake of Bitcoin and Ether in early 2026 according to analysis. Despite the purchases, Bitcoin was trading near $90,212, while Ether was near $3,118 according to market data.

The aggressive accumulation by BlackRock signals strong institutional confidence amid heightened market volatility. This is particularly notable as the crypto market is in a consolidation phase, with Bitcoin having pulled back from the $110,000–$120,000 range to the low $90,000s as reported.

Why Did This Happen?

BlackRock’s accumulation occurred during a period of market reset and institutional repositioning. On-chain data from CryptoQuant shows that the SOPR (spend output profit ratio) for Bitcoin was near exhaustion levels, suggesting a transfer from weak hands to strong balance sheets according to analysis. Long-term Bitcoin holders have been locking in profits without heavy selling, which is a typical pattern before a market shift as market data indicates.

The move also coincided with BlackRock moving 1,134 Bitcoin and 7,255 Ether to Coinbase Prime during the holiday season according to transaction records. This action initially raised concerns of a sell-off, but the market remained stable. Such strategic asset reallocations are often used to secure more favorable custody or trading conditions according to industry analysis.

How Did Markets React?

Bitcoin spot ETFs had a mixed start to 2026, with $1.9 billion in inflows and $1.38 billion in outflows, resulting in a net inflow of $500 million according to reports. However, this pales in comparison to the $22 billion in net inflows seen in 2025, where BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led the way according to market data.

In early January 2026, ETF inflows resumed, with Bitcoin spot ETFs recording $117 million in inflows on January 13, ending four consecutive days of outflows according to market reports. BlackRock’s IBIT was the best-performing product, drawing $112 million in inflows according to analysis. Ethereum ETFs also posted mild inflows of $5 million, while XRP ETFs saw $15 million in inflows according to market data.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are closely monitoring Bitcoin’s performance above $90,000 and the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $91,600 according to technical analysis. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the daily chart is rising toward overbought territory, increasing the likelihood of a breakout above $100,000 as indicators suggest. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) also supports a short-term bullish outlook.

Ethereum is also under observation, with a focus on the $3,200 level, where trading volume could spike according to market analysis. Ethereum’s price has shown resilience despite ETF inflows, remaining near $3,090 according to price data. Analysts are also watching the broader Ethereum market dynamics, including its market maturity and the potential for long-term stability as market reports indicate.

BlackRock’s continued accumulation of Bitcoin and Ethereum indicates that large institutional players are confident in the long-term potential of the assets. This is in line with broader market sentiment that sees Bitcoin as a potential store of value and Ethereum as a growing platform for real-world applications according to industry analysis.

With Bitcoin spot ETFs holding $118.65 billion in net assets and Ethereum ETFs at $18.88 billion, the institutional presence in crypto markets is strengthening according to market data. The growing adoption of stablecoins, such as Ripple’s RLUSD, by major institutions like BlackRock also suggests a shift toward more efficient settlement and collateral mechanisms in global finance according to industry reports.

Institutional confidence is further reinforced by the broader adoption of crypto across financial infrastructure, with more than 45% of options open interest cleared at the start of 2026 according to market data. As the market continues to mature, BlackRock’s actions may signal a broader trend of institutional capital moving into crypto as a diversification tool and long-term asset class.