BlackRock's IBIT ETF Sheds Assets, Market Eyes Hong Kong Debut

BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) experiences net zero inflows for two consecutive days, marking a shift from the previous trend. Despite this, Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan believes more inflows are likely in the coming months due to factors such as broader availability and institutional interest. Furthermore, he predicts that Bitcoin could reach above $250,000 by the next halving in 2028 due to increased demand, including from central banks seeking non-debt investments.

BlackRock's IBIT ETF Experiences Net Outflows, Market Anticipates Hong Kong Debut

In a notable development, BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), has registered zero daily inflows for two consecutive days, marking the first time since mid-January. This news has raised concerns among market watchers, prompting speculation about the potential impact on the Bitcoin market.

Over the past two days, IBIT has recorded cumulative outflows of $338.2 million, a stark contrast to the inflows witnessed in previous months. This sudden shift in sentiment has caught the attention of investors, who are closely monitoring upcoming events, particularly the highly anticipated Hong Kong ETF debut next week.

However, market analyst Kamikaze Fiat has expressed skepticism regarding the potential surge in demand from institutional investors. Fiat asserts that significant inflows from entities like Morgan Stanley and Hong Kong ETFs are unlikely to match the massive $12.5 billion injected into the market during the previous rally.

Decline in Bitcoin ETF Inflows Raises Questions

The sharp decline in US spot Bitcoin ETF inflows during the second quarter has raised questions about the sustainability of demand for these products. While the first quarter witnessed substantial inflows, reaching $6 billion in February and $4.6 billion in March, the inflow for April has plummeted to a mere $170 million as of April 24th.

Despite the recent setback, Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan remains optimistic about the future of Bitcoin ETFs. Hougan predicts that inflows will resume in the coming months, citing the limited availability of these products at major wirehouses and the ongoing due diligence process by institutions.

Bitwise Exec Predicts Bitcoin Price Surge Before 2028 Halving

Hougan's bullish outlook is further supported by his belief that central banks will enter the Bitcoin market before the next halving in 2028. He emphasizes that Bitcoin, like gold, is a non-debt asset with a finite supply that cannot be expanded through borrowing or seized by foreign governments.

Based on this scenario, Hougan forecasts that Bitcoin could trade above $250,000 by the time of the next halving. Such a surge would represent a significant increase from its current price of around $40,000.

US Treasury's Move Expected to Impact Crypto Market

In the short term, BitMEX founder Arthur Hayes anticipates a bullish momentum in the crypto market next week, fueled by a potential liquidity injection of $1.4 trillion by the US Treasury. Hayes believes that this liquidity infusion could trigger a rally in stocks and reignite the crypto bull market.

The quarterly refunding announcements by the US Treasury are closely watched by the markets, as they typically have a significant impact on financial assets. The upcoming announcement is expected to shed light on the Treasury's debt management policies and could potentially influence the direction of Bitcoin in the coming months.