BlackRock Clients Sell $102M In BTC Ahead Of Today’s FOMC Meeting

Bitcoin spot ETFs experienced a net outflow of $147 million on January 27, according to Coinglass data. With redemptions concentrated in major asset managers, institutional demand appears to be contracting again.

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) posted net inflows of $102.80 million, while Fidelity’s Bitcoin ETF (FBTC) also saw $44.56 million leave, accounting for the only US spot BTC ETFs that posted any number on January 27, according to Coinglass data.

By contrast, Bitwise (BITB), ARK Invest (ARKB), Invesco (BTCO), Franklin (EZBC), Valkyrie (BRRR), VanEck (HODL), and WisdomTree (BTCW) ETFs recorded neither inflows nor outflows. Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) and the Grayscale Mini Bitcoin ETF were also tallied as having no net inflows or outflows.

Spot Bitcoin flows are seen as reflecting the mood in the crypto market, where volatility has recently increased. The market views institutional money as staying on the sidelines in the near term, as investor attention shifts toward traditional assets such as gold and silver.

This also comes at a time when BTC has been failing to show a clear direction, as investors await today’s Federal Reserve decision.

Bitcoin and Altcoins Brace for Federal Reserve Decision

Crypto markets are set for a volatile week ahead of today’s conclusion of the Fed meeting, as investors expect the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) to keep interest rates unchanged.

A hawkish tone could trigger a widespread sell-off, while hints of future rate cuts could spark a bullish move in the crypto space.

Meanwhile, market pricing and prediction venues show little expectation of an immediate policy shift.

Data from the CME FedWatch tool indicates a 97% probability that the Federal Reserve will leave policy unchanged at Wednesday’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

Meanwhile, Polymarket bettors are assigning a 99% probability to a “no change” outcome at the FOMC.