Spot Bitcoin ETF inflows hit nearly $1B as BTC breaks above $87,000

U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds pulled in $998.95 million on Monday, marking their biggest single-day net inflow in 11 months and helping push Bitcoin decisively above $87,000. Data from SoSoValue showed BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led the day's buying with $381.4 million of net inflows. Ark and 21Shares' ARKB added $289.1 million, while Fidelity's FBTC drew $238.8 million. Products from Grayscale, Bitwise, and Morgan Stanley also posted net inflows. The combined total was the largest daily inflow since Oct. 6, 2025, when spot Bitcoin ETFs took in about $1.2 billion. Spot Ether ETFs also saw strong demand, recording $269.98 million in net inflows—their best one-day result since Oct. 7, 2025. Ether rose 2.5% to around $2,730, signaling renewed allocations across the two largest crypto assets via regulated vehicles. Bitcoin's move was amplified by forced short covering. CoinGlass reported $1.06 billion in crypto liquidations over 24 hours, including $844 million in short positions. Presto Research associate Min Jung pointed to improved risk appetite, heavy ETF buying, and broad short covering as key drivers. Bitcoin rose 4.7% over 24 hours and traded near $85,400 early Tuesday after briefly touching about $87,300 on Monday—its highest level since January 2026 and a break above a resistance zone that had capped the rebound. ViaBTC chief analyst Jeff Ko said the rally gained traction after BTC cleared $82,000, a level that previously limited upside. The breakout likely encouraged systematic strategies to reengage, while institutional ETF purchases reinforced spot demand. Macro signals added support. BTSE COO Jeff Mei cited softer oil prices and easing U.S. Treasury yields as constructive for risk assets. He also flagged President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as another potential market catalyst. Funding rates remained positive and open interest stayed elevated, indicating traders increased long exposure during the recovery. At the same time, leverage could amplify volatility if Bitcoin fails to hold above $85,000. Continued ETF inflows may help sustain the breakout, while any slowdown in institutional demand could leave prices vulnerable to renewed selling pressure.