BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF Momentum Stalls Amidst Waning Demand and Funding Rate Shift

Due to a lack of inflows, BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) faces a potential turning point, and the wider Bitcoin market shows signs of waning demand as funding rates turn negative and CME Group's open interest decreases.

BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF Momentum Pauses Amidst Waning Demand and Negative Funding Rate

Declining Inflows Signal Potential Turning Point

BlackRock's much-anticipated Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), under the ticker IBIT, has experienced a notable shift in its trading trajectory. After an unprecedented streak of 71 consecutive days of inflows, IBIT registered zero inflows during the Wednesday trading session, marking the first such occurrence in nearly three months.

This abrupt halt in inflows has raised questions about a potential turning point for the fund, which had emerged as a frontrunner in the race among Bitcoin ETFs, securing the lead in terms of inflows and trading volume. While it fell just short of setting a record for consecutive inflow days, IBIT's 71-day streak is considered remarkable by ETF analysts.

"IBIT's 71-day inflow streak is near record-setting territory, underscoring the incredible performance it has exhibited since launch," noted Eric Balchunas, an ETF expert at Bloomberg. He highlighted that even the widely traded gold ETF, GLD, experienced only a three-day streak of inflows during its initial launch phase.

However, BlackRock's zero inflows on Wednesday were not an isolated event; eight other Bitcoin ETF issuers also reported similar results. Notably, Fidelity, the runner-up in inflows since trading began in January, and Cathy Wood's Ark Invest were the only managers to record inflows during Wednesday's session, with $5.6 million and $4.2 million, respectively.

On the other hand, Grayscale, one of the world's largest BTC holders, continued to experience outflows, with a staggering $130 million outflow on Wednesday alone. Farside data reveals that Grayscale's ETF, GBTC, has witnessed outflows totaling $1.2 billion in April alone. These outflows have contributed to a downward pressure on Bitcoin's price, which has declined by 4.2% in the past 24 hours, currently trading at $62,990.

Waning Demand and Negative Funding Rates

Coinciding with the decline in IBIT's inflows, the Bitcoin market has also exhibited signs of waning bullish sentiment, as two key factors that propelled its growth begin to diminish.

According to Bloomberg, the Bitcoin funding rate, an indicator of the premium paid by traders to open new long positions in the perpetual futures market, turned negative on April 19 for the first time since October 2023. This shift in funding rates suggests a moderation in demand for Bitcoin following the launch of several US spot Bitcoin ETFs on March 15, when the token reached record highs of $73,700.

Bitcoin funding rates had reached a three-year high in March, signaling an overheated market. However, as of Tuesday, they fell below zero, indicating a decreased appetite among traders to open long positions.

Julio Moreno, Head of Research at CryptoQuant, explained that such a trend reduces traders' willingness to enter new long positions. Analyst Vetle Lunde from K33 Research noted that the 11-day streak of neutral-to-below-neutral funding rates is unusual, and that past dips in funding rates have typically been followed by a flurry of leveraged bets. Lunde suggests that the extended duration of the current perpetual discount may indicate further price consolidation in the market.

Moreover, open interest in the Chicago-based CME Group's Bitcoin futures market has decreased by 18% from its record high. This decline reflects a waning interest among US institutions in seeking exposure and hedging in the cryptocurrency market.

Hong Kong's Spot Bitcoin ETFs: Potential Catalyst

As the cryptocurrency market searches for fresh catalysts, attention is now turning to Hong Kong, where a new set of spot Bitcoin ETFs is poised to debut. The market is keenly observing whether these ETFs can generate even a fraction of the demand experienced by their US counterparts.

Industry observers believe that the launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs in Hong Kong may revitalize interest in the cryptocurrency market, potentially leading to renewed inflows into Bitcoin ETFs and broader market momentum. However, they emphasize the need for caution and prudent investment decisions in light of the recent shifts in market dynamics.

Conclusion

The market dynamics surrounding Bitcoin ETFs and the broader cryptocurrency market are evolving rapidly. BlackRock's IBIT ETF has experienced a halt in inflows, while the Bitcoin funding rate has turned negative, indicating a moderation in demand. These developments have raised questions about a potential turning point in the market. However, attention is shifting to the upcoming launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs in Hong Kong, which could potentially serve as a catalyst for renewed interest and momentum.