Yesterday's US Bitcoin Spot ETF Sees $840 Million Net Inflow

U.S. Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded a net inflow of $840 million on January 14, 2026, according to data from Farside Investors. The inflow marks one of the largest in recent months and indicates continued institutional interest in Bitcoin. BlackRock’s IBIT led the inflow with $648 million, followed by Fidelity’s FBTC with $125.4 million according to the same data.

The surge in ETF inflows coincides with Bitcoin’s price rising above $97,000 for the first time in three months. This follows a $1.25 billion BTC purchase by Strategy and other major inflows into Bitcoin ETFs. The price increase has led to more than $360 million in short liquidations in the past 24 hours.

BTC’s supply on exchanges has dropped to 1.18 million, a seven-month low, according to Santiment. This decline in available supply may signal reduced selling pressure and growing institutional accumulation. The number of Bitcoin holders also fell by 47,244 in the past two months, a trend that has historically preceded price gains.

Why Did This Happen?

The inflows into Bitcoin ETFs were driven by BlackRock, Fidelity, and Bitwise, who collectively purchased over $700 million in BTC. These firms are managing capital for institutional clients, and their increased exposure reflects a broader trend of traditional finance firms entering the crypto space. Spot ETFs provide a compliant and regulated way for these investors to gain exposure without directly holding private keys.

The inflows also come after softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data and a favorable reading on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). These developments reduced expectations of aggressive Federal Reserve rate hikes and supported risk-on sentiment across financial markets.

How Did Markets Respond?

Bitcoin’s price rose 6.7% over the past two days, reaching $97,100 at the time of publication. The move triggered a wave of bearish liquidations, with more than $290 million in short positions wiped out within 24 hours. The broader cryptocurrency market also responded positively, with total market capitalization rising above $3.3 trillion.

Ethereum and other altcoins also benefited from the broader ETF-driven optimism. Ethereum spot ETFs recorded $130 million in inflows, and XRP ETFs added nearly $13 million on January 13 according to market data. This suggests that the ETF trend is not limited to Bitcoin but is beginning to influence other crypto assets.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are closely monitoring whether the inflows into Bitcoin ETFs will continue at a steady pace. Sustained institutional participation could further reduce Bitcoin’s liquid supply and potentially drive prices higher. However, macroeconomic conditions and regulatory developments will continue to shape investor behavior.

Regulatory clarity has improved in 2026, with the approval of options trading on ETFs and the repeal of SAB 121 restrictions, enabling banks to custody crypto assets. These developments have contributed to Bitcoin’s maturation as an institutional asset class. However, concentration risks remain, particularly with regard to custody.

The next major event on the horizon is potential U.S. regulatory action around a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. If the U.S. government decides to formally allocate Bitcoin as a reserve asset, it could trigger a new wave of demand and force a repricing of the asset according to market analysis. Market participants are also watching how BlackRock and Fidelity might expand their offerings, such as staked or yield-bearing ETFs, which could spark new regulatory challenges.