Billions are returning to Bitcoin through regulated ETFs, led by a few major funds.
The buying tightened supply and pushed BTC above $96,000 in a single fast-moving session.
U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs pulled in $754M in net inflows, the biggest one-day haul since October last year. Most of that money landed in a small group of large funds, and matching on-chain transfers showed asset managers actually buying BTC.
As supply tightened, Bitcoin climbed past $97,000 before cooling slightly, proving how quickly ETF demand can move the market.
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Where The Money Went
A few flagship ETFs captured most of the $754M.
BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC led the day, while smaller funds saw far less activity.
On Jan 13, BlackRock transferred about $298M worth of Bitcoin into custody, a clear sign that new ETF shares required real BTC purchases.
Flow trackers marked this as the strongest inflow day since October, showing renewed momentum rather than a random spike.
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What This Meant For Bitcoin’s Price
When ETFs buy at this scale, they pull directly from the spot market.
That shrinks available liquidity and can push prices higher in short bursts.
Trading volumes jumped alongside the inflows, and Bitcoin briefly crossed $97,000.
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Why Institutions Are Buying Again
Since the start of the year, weekly reports show more consistent ETF inflows after a mixed December.
Big banks have also continued filing and positioning around crypto products, which reassures larger investors.
Many institutions prefer ETFs because they offer clear rules, professional custody, and simple access, so they channel more money through these vehicles instead of buying Bitcoin directly.
Conclusion
The next clues come from tomorrow’s ETF flows, fresh custody transfers, and how Bitcoin reacts to each new wave of buying.
In the next few days we will reveal to our premium crypto alert members the coins that could have explosive potential for 2026.
