The asset manager BlackRock, the largest in the world, has made a radical step toward crypto assets by purchasing Bitcoin and Ether worth more than $1 billion in only three days.
LookOnChain’s on-chain data indicates that BlackRock has accumulated 9,619 Bitcoin (approximately $878 million) and 46,851 Ether (approximately $149 million) so far. The value of these purchases taken together is around $1.027 billion.
This buying spree has coincided with a period of extreme market volatility and suggests a robust institutional backing for the major cryptocurrencies.
Moreover, the data states that the majority of the liquidity that entered the cryptocurrency market during the first week of 2026 passed through BlackRock. On January 6, the company acquired 3,948 BTC, which was almost $372 million, and at the same time, it enriched its holdings with 31,737 Ether worth about $100 million.
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These activities accentuate the increasing importance of BlackRock in influencing the institutions to switch quietly to crypto at the beginning of the year.
Market Expectations Based on Institutional Flows
Viewing the situation as a trader, one can consider the recent rush of institutional buying practically impossible to overlook. The massive and simultaneous acquisitions of Bitcoin and Ether are usually signs that large investors are expecting to benefit from higher prices. For the moment, traders are anticipating the support of Bitcoin around the $90,000 mark, which held firm during similar accumulation phases in the past.
BlackRock, during holidays, transferred quietly Bitcoin and Ether to Coinbase Prime thus creating short-term concerns about possible sell pressure. On-chain data revealed the timing of the deposits of 1,134 BTC and 7,255 ETH into Coinbase.
At the same time, Strategy, led by Michael Saylor, moved in the opposite direction. The firm bought 1,287 BTC, increasing its total Bitcoin holdings to 673,783 BTC, reinforcing its position as the largest corporate holder of the cryptocurrency.
