Bitcoin Price Nears Record High as ETF Inflows Hit $1B in Five Days
BlackRock’s IBIT drives institutional demand, pushing BTC to $122,852 with a bullish supply-demand setup | That's TradingNEWS
Bitcoin (BTC-USD) ETF Inflows Hit $1 Billion in Five Days, Pushing Price Toward Record High
Bitcoin (BTC-USD) is trading at $122,852, moving within 1% of its July 2025 all-time high as spot Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. recorded $1 billion in net inflows over the past five sessions. ETF-managed Bitcoin assets have climbed to $153 billion, fueled by institutional allocations and a wave of capital rotation from equities. The August 7 executive order from President Donald Trump authorizing 401(k) retirement plans to invest in cryptocurrencies has unlocked a $9 trillion capital pool, setting the stage for sustained demand into 2026.
BlackRock’s IBIT Leads Market Share and Daily Inflows
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) took in $111 million in net inflows on August 13, the largest single-day gain in months, bringing its net assets to $58.07 billion. Fidelity’s FBTC follows with $12.1 billion, while ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) holds $2.38 billion. Outflows hit Ark Invest’s Bitcoin ETF at $23.86 million and Grayscale’s GBTC at $21.63 million, yet IBIT’s dominance offset these declines. Combined Bitcoin ETF trading volume reached $3.05 billion, indicating deep secondary market liquidity.
ETF Buying Absorbs Majority of New BTC Supply
With post-halving issuance now reduced, daily ETF demand consumes most newly mined Bitcoin. This structural supply squeeze means that even moderate additional demand could trigger sharp price rallies. Harvard University’s $116.7 million IBIT stake now exceeds its positions in Nvidia and Alphabet, while Brown University has nearly doubled its Bitcoin ETF exposure in 2025.
Regulatory Policy Shifts Boost Institutional Confidence
The Trump administration’s retirement plan reform is a clear bullish driver, but the SEC’s “Project Crypto” initiative is also improving operational conditions for large asset managers. Increased regulatory clarity makes ETFs more attractive to pension funds, endowments, and insurers, cementing Bitcoin’s status as a long-term strategic allocation rather than a speculative trade.
Ethereum ETFs Outpace BTC in Recent Inflows
While Bitcoin ETFs dominate in size, with $155.02 billion in net assets, Ethereum ETFs have attracted more inflows in the past month, pulling in $1.5 billion compared to Bitcoin’s $244 million. On August 12 alone, ETH ETFs gained $524 million while BTC ETFs took in $65.94 million. Despite this, Bitcoin remains the primary institutional anchor in the crypto ETF market.
Price Outlook Supported by Strong Demand and Thin Supply
The $122K zone is just below historical highs, and order book depth shows limited sell-side liquidity above $123K. If ETF inflows maintain their current pace, the supply-demand imbalance could drive prices into the $135K–$140K range by year-end. Traders remain alert for profit-taking from long-term holders once BTC breaks above prior records.
Verdict: Buy Bias on Sustained Institutional Inflows
ETF-driven demand is both substantial and structurally significant in the post-halving environment. The expansion of retirement account access, combined with BlackRock’s market capture, supports further upside. Without a reversal in flows or regulatory setbacks, Bitcoin retains a Buy outlook, though position sizing should account for potential volatility at record levels.
