BlackRock's iShares
Bitcoin
Trust ETF led the way in U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF inflows throughout 2025, channeling $28.1 billion into the market and averting what would have been a net outflow of $1.27 billion if it had not participated, according to
a Coinotag analysis
. This heavy concentration of funds has sparked worries among experts about the vulnerability of the ETF landscape, especially for altcoins such as
Solana
and
XRP
, which could find it difficult to draw substantial investments without major players like
BlackRock
,
a Cointelegraph report
cautions. BlackRock’s significant role is highlighted by its $13.5 trillion in managed assets, giving it the power to influence Bitcoin’s price trends during periods of economic uncertainty, as detailed in
a Coinotag piece
.
Recent figures underscore the extent of this dominance. So far this year, U.S. Bitcoin ETFs have brought in $26.9 billion, with nearly all of that attributed to BlackRock’s fund, according to Coinotag’s analysis. In October alone, weekly inflows reached $3.55 billion, pushing Bitcoin’s value past $126,000, as reported by
a TradingView report
. Still, Bitcoin encountered resistance at $116,000 later that month as short-term investors took profits, causing a brief pause in its upward movement, Coinotag noted. Nevertheless, ETF inflows continue to signal optimism, with $149.3 million entering on October 27, indicating ongoing institutional engagement, Coinotag added.
Altcoin ETFs are facing significant challenges. Forecasts estimate initial inflows of $3-8 billion for Solana and XRP ETFs, but these numbers are largely dependent on BlackRock’s involvement, Coinotag’s analysis indicates. Analysts such as Vetle Lunde from K33 Research warn that without BlackRock’s support, altcoin ETFs may not match the strong debut seen with Bitcoin ETFs, according to K33 Research.
Ethereum
, on the other hand, has shown greater stability. Its ETFs have drawn $11.84 billion by October, with $1.14 billion coming from providers other than BlackRock, suggesting a broader institutional embrace, as Coinotag reported. The NYSE has also introduced new ETFs for Solana,
Litecoin
, and
Hedera
, pointing to a growing variety of crypto investment choices, Coinotag added.
Geopolitical events add further complexity to the market outlook. Bitcoin’s price dropped to $113,760 as investors anticipated a Federal Reserve rate reduction and high-level discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping, according to
an Investing.com report
. Earlier threats from Trump to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese goods led to a market downturn in October, though recent statements hint at possible easing of tensions, as
an FXStreet forecast
observed. Meanwhile, institutional investors continue to accumulate, with companies like Strategy and American Bitcoin adding large amounts of BTC to their holdings, FXStreet reported.
Market participants are encouraged to keep a close watch on ETF movements, blockchain data, and global political shifts. While Coinotag’s report suggests Bitcoin may currently be undervalued by 11% compared to ETF inflows, altcoin ETFs still face fundamental obstacles without BlackRock’s endorsement. As the digital asset sector evolves, expanding investment options and clearer regulations will be essential for growth that extends beyond the dominance of any single institution.
