Bitcoin ETFs Pull In $1.1B Over Two Sessions as BlackRock's IBIT Dominates Inflows
Spot Bitcoin ETFs drew about $1.1 billion in net inflows over two trading sessions in early May 2026, according to Farside Investors, as Bitcoin traded above $80,000 for its highest level since January. The move underscored renewed institutional demand for regulated crypto exposure and reinforced ETFs' growing influence on market liquidity and price discovery.
After posting $630 million of inflows on May 1, spot Bitcoin ETFs added another $532 million on May 4. BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led the day, bringing in $335.46 million, followed by Fidelity's FBTC with $184.57 million. Morgan Stanley's recently launched MSBT reported $12.16 million of inflows. Other spot Bitcoin ETF issuers—including Bitwise, Ark, Invesco, Franklin, Valkyrie and others—were flat on the day with net zero flows.
BlackRock reported that IBIT took in 4,193 BTC, valued at roughly $335.46 million, and recorded $2.9 billion in trading volume, signaling steady participation from institutional investors.
Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas said IBIT ranked 11th in April ETF inflows. He noted the fund attracted $2.3 billion during the month despite negative year-to-date returns, calling the pattern unusual and more typical of long-term allocation behavior seen in products such as Vanguard. In comments to CoinTelegraph, Balchunas said the trend highlights how Bitcoin ETFs are tightening the link between crypto and traditional finance by leveraging established distribution and trading infrastructure for broader investor access.
Bitcoin continued to show strength alongside the flow data, rising 2.3% over the past 24 hours to around $80,800. Analyst Michaël van de Poppe said momentum has improved as ETF inflows accelerate across the crypto market, adding that sustained demand could support additional upside in the weeks ahead. He also pointed to signs of capital rotating out of gold and into Bitcoin, suggesting a wider shift in investor asset allocation.
With IBIT accounting for the bulk of recent flows and Bitcoin holding above $80,000, markets will watch whether ETF demand remains consistent and whether the apparent rotation from traditional stores of value into digital assets continues.
