Bitcoin dips on BlackRock $257M transfer, ETF outflows

• Lyla Velez
• February 13, 2026
• News
• 0 Comments

Key Points:

• Headlines link BlackRock to $257M crypto sell-off based on wallet activity.
• Exchange-bound transfer suggests possible selling, but alone doesn’t confirm liquidation.
• Broader posture shows ongoing engagement, not a definitive BTC or ETH disposal.

Headlines tying BlackRock to a $257 million Bitcoin and Ethereum “sell-off” are circulating. What is being assessed today is a wallet movement associated with the firm and the narrative built around it. A wallet transfer toward an exchange venue raises the possibility of execution but does not, by itself, verify that selling occurred.

Context matters when interpreting such headlines. As reported by DLNews, BlackRock’s broader digital-asset posture has included equity exposure to crypto infrastructure and public comments on tokenization, with the firm citing Ethereum in that context. Those signals show ongoing engagement, not a definitive directional call on immediate BTC or ETH disposal.

Transfer vs sale: why on-chain moves aren’t confirmation

Routing coins to a prime broker or exchange is a necessary step before a sale, but it is not conclusive proof that a sale happened. Institutions also move assets for custody optimization, liquidity staging, collateral management, or operational netting. Without trade confirmations, fund disclosures, or attested executions, a transfer is only a precursor, not evidence of liquidation.

One outlet framed the move in more definitive terms. “Asset manager BlackRock looks set to offload $257 million in Bitcoin and Ethereum following its transfer, a move that comes ahead a partial shutdown,” said CoinGape.

That characterization should be treated as a claim until matched with corroborating execution data or filings. Timing around a potential partial U.S. government shutdown can influence narratives, but calendar proximity is not proof of intent. The analytical standard is to separate observable wallet routing from verifiable trade completion.

How spot Bitcoin ETF outflows can force underlying sales

When a spot Bitcoin ETF such as iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) records net outflows, cash must be raised to meet redemptions. In practice, that can translate into selling underlying BTC by the issuer or its liquidity partners. Conversely, net inflows can necessitate underlying purchases.

Market flow conditions have recently been stressed. As reported by MSN, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw heightened selling with outflows accelerating on a volatile session. If outflows persist, mechanics can require selling of the underlying to fund redemptions, which can add to short-term price pressure.

At the time of this writing, Bitcoin traded near 66,957, with sentiment described as bearish and volatility as very high in recent metrics. Those figures provide context rather than a directional view and may change quickly.