Bitcoin just got a massive vote of confidence from Wall Street. On May 22, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $934.8 million in daily inflows, the second-largest inflow day since their launch — and the biggest single contributor was none other than BlackRock, with a jaw-dropping $877.2 million allocation.
This massive move comes just as Bitcoin touched a new all-time high of $112,000 and signals something deeper: institutional conviction is accelerating. Here’s what the data shows — and why it matters.
BlackRock Leads the Pack with $877M Buy-In
According to Farside Investors, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) took in $877.2 million on May 22, far outpacing all other ETF issuers. This brings IBIT’s total net inflows close to $16.7 billion, solidifying its position as the dominant force in the U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF market.
Source: Farside Investors
Other notable inflows include:
- Fidelity: $48.7M
- Ark Invest, Invesco, and others: minimal activity
- Grayscale (GBTC): net zero outflow, showing improved sentiment
The total inflow for the day — $934.8M — marks a turning point after weeks of mixed flows, and signals renewed institutional enthusiasm.
Why This Matters: Institutions Are Doubling Down
This kind of inflow isn’t retail-driven. It reflects large-scale capital rotation from traditional assets into Bitcoin exposure via regulated, familiar structures like ETFs.
There are three key takeaways:
- Timing: The move comes just days after Bitcoin reclaimed its all-time high, suggesting institutional investors are not “buying the dip” — they’re buying the breakout.
- Liquidity confidence: Massive flows like this reinforce the notion that Bitcoin ETFs are now highly liquid entry points for funds that previously couldn’t touch spot crypto.
- Signal to competitors: BlackRock’s assertiveness puts pressure on other institutions to follow. It’s no longer a question of if — it’s how fast they’ll move.
Bitcoin ETFs Inflows and BTC Price: What’s the Correlation?
Historically, large ETF inflows tend to precede or accompany strong upward price action. While correlation isn’t causation, here’s what we’re seeing now:
- Bitcoin hit $112K on May 22 after the inflow spike
- Funding rates remain healthy, not overleveraged
- MVRV ratio is at 2.4 — bullish but not overheated
This suggests that the rally has room to continue, especially if inflows remain consistent over the coming days.
Final Thoughts: This Wasn’t a Retail Pump — It Was BlackRock
When $900+ million enters Bitcoin in a single day, it’s not speculation — it’s strategy. BlackRock isn’t buying memes or hoping for a short-term flip. They’re building a position, likely for the long term, and others are taking note.As institutional adoption accelerates and capital flows into ETFs scale up, Bitcoin’s next phase might be less about hype — and more about quiet, powerful accumulation.
