BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, sold 16,000 bitcoin (BTC) between May 15 and 23, 2026.
The on-chain data reflect that the departures occurred on an almost daily basis and correspond to movements linked to the BTC exchange-traded fund (ETF) managed by the American managerwhose name is iShares Bitcoin Trust (and its ticker stock market is IBIT).
The chart shows that holdings went from around 820,000 BTC to around 804,000 BTC in that period. At a price of $77,450 per bitcoin, that reduction is equivalent to about $1.239 billion.
The movement reflects how ETFs amplify the relationship between financial flows and buying or selling pressure on BTC. When capital enters these products, managers buy BTC to support new participations. But when exits occur, they must also sell part of those reserves.
It is worth clarifying that this does not mean that BlackRock has liquidated its BTC holdings from its own corporate treasury. The BTC sold are part of the reserves that back the ETF holdings.
The episode generated debate among users and market operators. Some participants accused BlackRock of deliberately cause downward pressure to create fear among retail investors.
“BlackRock has greatly manipulated the market and created panic for retailers,” wrote the user @Sody1 on X.
According to that person, the manager would be taking advantage of the sales to buy back cheaper later. “Let’s end this manipulation and force BlackRock to buy at high prices so that BTC can move above $100,000,” he added.
Other users rejected that interpretation and explained that BlackRock simply manages third-party capital. “Blackrock is a third-party asset manager, they are not individual holdings, so that doesn’t have to worry us in the slightest… hang tight guys, don’t fall into the trap,” responded the @OnChainResearchX account.
Despite recent sales, IBIT continues to be the largest BTC ETF in the US market and one of the main institutional vehicles for exposure to this digital assetas explained by CriptoNoticias.