Massive Exodus Hits IBIT, With Investors Pulling Out Staggering Sums Over Nearly a Week of Turbulent Markets

BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) recorded approximately $1 billion in investor redemptions across five trading days between 18 and 22 May 2026. Blockchain analytics firm Arkham tracked the fund's Bitcoin wallet movements and confirmed the total for the period. The fund's largest single-day exit arrived on 18 May, when $448 million left IBIT in one session. BlackRock did not initiate these sales as a directional bet — the disposals resulted directly from investor exits.

Six straight days of outflows hit the wider Bitcoin ETF marketThe IBIT redemptions joined a broader pullback across the US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) market. All 11 approved US spot Bitcoin ETFs posted $1.26 billion in net outflows across six consecutive trading days. This reversed a strong April, which saw the same fund group draw $2.44 billion in net inflows. Despite the May reversal, IBIT's cumulative net inflow since its January 2024 launch remains at $65.33 billion. The figure reflects the volume of institutional capital that entered the product since its approval.

How spot ETF redemptions force automatic Bitcoin salesThe redemption process explains why Bitcoin transfers appear on-chain during investor exits. When investors return IBIT shares, the fund's ETF agreement requires BlackRock to sell an equivalent amount of Bitcoin. The proceeds return to exiting shareholders in cash. The Arkham wallet transfers reflect this process — they are not a strategic portfolio decision by BlackRock. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has since approved in-kind redemptions for IBIT. Under this structure, investors receive Bitcoin directly for returned shares. The change eliminates the forced open-market Bitcoin sale.

Bitcoin holds near $77,000 as buyers absorb the supplyBitcoin traded at $77,412 at the time of publication, up 1.06% over the previous 24 hours (CoinPaprika, 25 May 2026). The coin's market capitalisation stood at $1.55 trillion. The price held near the $77,000 level throughout the redemption period, as other market participants absorbed the Bitcoin that IBIT redemptions pushed onto the market. The coin reached its all-time high of $126,173 in October 2025 and trades 38.6% below that level as of publication. The IBIT redemptions joined a broader pullback across the US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) market. All 11 approved US spot Bitcoin ETFs posted $1.26 billion in net outflows across six consecutive trading days. This reversed a strong April, which saw the same fund group draw $2.44 billion in net inflows. Despite the May reversal, IBIT's cumulative net inflow since its January 2024 launch remains at $65.33 billion. The figure reflects the volume of institutional capital that entered the product since its approval.

Bitcoin holds near $77,000 as buyers absorb the supplyBitcoin traded at $77,412 at the time of publication, up 1.06% over the previous 24 hours (CoinPaprika, 25 May 2026). The coin's market capitalisation stood at $1.55 trillion. The price held near the $77,000 level throughout the redemption period, as other market participants absorbed the Bitcoin that IBIT redemptions pushed onto the market. The coin reached its all-time high of $126,173 in October 2025 and trades 38.6% below that level as of publication. The redemption process explains why Bitcoin transfers appear on-chain during investor exits. When investors return IBIT shares, the fund's ETF agreement requires BlackRock to sell an equivalent amount of Bitcoin. The proceeds return to exiting shareholders in cash. The Arkham wallet transfers reflect this process — they are not a strategic portfolio decision by BlackRock. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has since approved in-kind redemptions for IBIT. Under this structure, investors receive Bitcoin directly for returned shares. The change eliminates the forced open-market Bitcoin sale.

Bitcoin holds near $77,000 as buyers absorb the supplyBitcoin traded at $77,412 at the time of publication, up 1.06% over the previous 24 hours (CoinPaprika, 25 May 2026). The coin's market capitalisation stood at $1.55 trillion. The price held near the $77,000 level throughout the redemption period, as other market participants absorbed the Bitcoin that IBIT redemptions pushed onto the market. The coin reached its all-time high of $126,173 in October 2025 and trades 38.6% below that level as of publication. Bitcoin traded at $77,412 at the time of publication, up 1.06% over the previous 24 hours (CoinPaprika, 25 May 2026). The coin's market capitalisation stood at $1.55 trillion. The price held near the $77,000 level throughout the redemption period, as other market participants absorbed the Bitcoin that IBIT redemptions pushed onto the market. The coin reached its all-time high of $126,173 in October 2025 and trades 38.6% below that level as of publication. Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile and involve significant risk. You may lose part or all of your investment. All information on Coinpaprika is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Always conduct your own research (DYOR) and consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Coinpaprika is not liable for any losses resulting from the use of this information.