BlackRock Bitcoin ETF attracts $647 million in a single day: a sign of institutional demand reigniting in 2026?

January 2, 2026, the US spot Bitcoin ETF market has had a strong start. According to Farside Investors, all Bitcoin ETFs experienced a net inflow of $471.3 million on that day, with BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) contributing $287.4 million alone. This marks a significant rebound in institutional demand for Bitcoin after a period of volatility at the end of 2025.

Record-breaking Capital Inflows

The cryptocurrency market at the beginning of 2026 sends a clear signal. On January 2, the overall US spot Bitcoin ETF saw a net inflow of $471.3 million, the largest single-day capital inflow since November 11, 2025. Among many Bitcoin ETFs, BlackRock’s IBIT performed the best, absorbing $287.4 million in a single day, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the total inflow. This data reflects a reallocation of institutional investors toward crypto assets at the start of 2026.

Meanwhile, Ethereum ETFs also performed well, with a net inflow of $174.5 million on the same day. Grayscale’s ETHE led Ethereum funds with $53.7 million, and BlackRock’s ETHA also became a popular choice among market participants.

Continued Trend of Institutional Accumulation

BlackRock’s accumulation of Bitcoin is far from a one-day effort. Based on 2025 data, the company is acquiring approximately 40,000 BTC per month, about 1,300 per day. At this rate, Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas predicts BlackRock’s Bitcoin holdings could reach 1.2 million BTC in 2026.

The corporate sector is also continuously accumulating Bitcoin. Blockchain data shows that over the past six months, corporate digital asset treasuries have added a net total of 260,000 BTC to their balance sheets. This figure significantly exceeds the estimated 82,000 BTC mined during the same period, indicating that institutional accumulation is outpacing new Bitcoin production.

Market Context and Price Trends

The gap between capital inflows and price performance is an interesting phenomenon in the current market. Over the past 30 days, Bitcoin’s price has decreased by 1.56%. Despite the significant rise in institutional demand, Bitcoin’s price remains relatively stable. This disconnect between capital and price may signal the buildup of upward momentum in the future.

In October 2025, the market experienced a significant correction when leveraged derivatives positions were rapidly deleveraged, triggering the largest single-day liquidation in history, with market value evaporating nearly $20 billion. Although the impact of this shock is gradually easing, market caution still persists.

Bitcoin Price Analysis and Outlook

According to Gate market data, as of January 16, 2026, Bitcoin’s price is $95,646.1, with a market cap of $1.9 trillion and a market share of 56.44%. Over the past week, Bitcoin’s price has increased by 4.60%, but in the last 24 hours, it has slightly decreased by 0.91%. Since 2026 began, the average Bitcoin price has been approximately $95,539.

Looking at the price range, Bitcoin in 2026 may fluctuate between $65,921.91 and $110,825.24. Some long-term forecasts are more optimistic, predicting that by 2031, Bitcoin could reach $233,382.66, representing significant growth from current levels.

The corporate digital asset treasuries have added a net 260,000 BTC over the past six months, valued at approximately $25 billion at current prices. This ongoing accumulation trend, together with the capital inflows into Bitcoin ETFs, forms a strong foundation for institutional demand for Bitcoin.

Market Outlook for 2026

A joint research report by Bitwise Asset Management and UTXO Management predicts that by the end of 2026, institutional investors may have purchased over 4.2 million BTC. This forecast is driven by macroeconomic conditions, legislative developments, and changes in asset allocation models influenced by the performance of spot Bitcoin ETFs.

K33 Research maintains a constructive bullish outlook for 2026, predicting Bitcoin will outperform stock indices and gold. The firm believes that regulatory victories will bring more positive developments than capital reallocation effects, with broader crypto legislation expected to be signed early in the year through the Clarity Act.

Participation from financial institutions is expected to further expand. Morgan Stanley plans to allow advisors to allocate 0-4% of client portfolios to Bitcoin ETFs starting January 1, 2026, and retail crypto trading on E-Trade is expected to launch in the first half of 2026.

Traditional ETFs vs. Cryptocurrency ETFs Competition

Contrasting sharply with crypto ETFs, traditional ETFs attracted $46 billion in inflows in the first six days of 2026. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas noted this is an “unusually high level at the start of the year.” At this rate, monthly inflows into traditional ETFs could reach $158 billion, about four times the normal level. This disparity indicates that, despite active capital deployment into ETFs, investors are currently more inclined to allocate funds to traditional investment funds.

Nevertheless, interest in Bitcoin ETFs among institutions continues to grow. For example, hedge fund Brevan Howard has disclosed holdings worth $2.32 billion in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, making it one of the largest reported shareholders of the fund.

While traditional ETFs absorbed $46 billion in the first six days, the Bitcoin ETF market experienced rollercoaster fluctuations. BlackRock’s pace of acquiring 40,000 BTC per month remains steady, with holdings steadily approaching the 1.2 million BTC target. Meanwhile, corporate digital asset treasuries have added 260,000 BTC in the past six months, quietly surpassing the amount of newly mined Bitcoin during the same period. Bitcoin’s price hovers around $95,646, with a market share of 56.44%. The continuous inflow of institutional funds and the enthusiastic response from traditional markets create a delicate contrast, as the crypto market awaits a decisive breakthrough.