Bitcoin whale BlackRock set to clash with ‘crypto president’ Trump after inauguration
BlackRock, the biggest asset manager on the planet with $11.5 trillion under its belt, is about to lock horns with Donald Trump, who is about to step back into office with a crypto agenda.
Trump’s administration is promising to turn it into a cornerstone of US economic strategy.
Meanwhile, BlackRock, the same company holding over half a million Bitcoins valued at $52.81 billion through its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), has its own battles to fight — with regulators breathing down its neck.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) isn’t cutting BlackRock any slack. And Trump’s big Bitcoin plans? Let’s just say they don’t make things any easier for Mr. Larry Fink. But hey, at least BlackRock’s a Bitcoin whale now.
BlackRock vs. FDIC
Here’s what is going down with the FDIC. BlackRock was supposed to meet a January 10 deadline to address concerns about its influence on US banks.
However, It didn’t. Instead, it asked for more time—until March 31—to review a proposed agreement, claiming it needed at least two more months.
The FDIC wasn’t buying it. The agency not only rejected the extension but also added more demands. They want more transparency about how BlackRock makes decisions and details about its bank-related holdings.
If BlackRock doesn’t act fast, things could get worse, and fast too. Sources familiar with the matter say the FDIC might issue subpoenas or take other mandatory actions to force the firm’s compliance.
This isn’t a minor dispute. BlackRock’s sheer size, combined with its massive stakes in banks, has some regulators worried it could have too much control over the financial system.
Jonathan McKernan, a Republican FDIC board member, and Rohit Chopra, the Democratic head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, have both called for tighter oversight of big asset managers.
Their main argument is that BlackRock could sway how banks operate, making them less independent.
BlackRock’s defense has so far been calling the FDIC’s demands disruptive, arguing that new rules could wreck index funds—one of its flagship offerings—and make it harder for banks to raise cash.
The company also says the FDIC needs to coordinate its efforts with the Federal Reserve, which already oversees its operations through a passivity agreement.
Trump’s Bitcoin play
Trump, along with Bitcoin-friendly figures like Senator Cynthia Lummis, is pushing for a US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Here’s the plan: Senator Lummis has introduced a bill proposing the US Treasury and Federal Reserve acquire 1 million Bitcoins over five years.
That’s 200,000 Bitcoins a year, adding up to about 5% of the total global supply. The goal? To reduce America’s reliance on traditional financial systems and keep up with rivals like China and Russia.
Dennis Porter, the co-founder of the Satoshi Act Fund, spilled the details. The reserve would partly come from Bitcoins seized in criminal investigations, giving the government a head start.
Trump’s team believes this reserve could help stabilize the dollar while tackling the US’s enormous $36 trillion national debt.
BlackRock, despite its massive Bitcoin holdings, isn’t on the same page. The firm has been making headlines for other reasons, like its withdrawal from the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative (NZAMI).
BlackRock pulled out of NZAMI on January 11, under pressure from Republican-led states that weren’t happy with its climate-focused investments.
The company insists it will continue to consider climate risks in its investment strategies, but the decision shows how political tensions are forcing it to adapt.
#BlackRock #CryptoPresident #Trump #cryptomarket #Cryptonews

$BTC

In a surprising move, BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has sold a significant portion of its Bitcoin holdings through its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), catching the attention of the entire crypto community. According to a post from Arkham Intelligence, BlackRock’s Bitcoin holdings experienced a notable reduction, which has left investors speculating about the company's long-term outlook on Bitcoin (BTC).
This unexpected shift comes after BlackRock made headlines earlier in 2024 by moving a large amount of Bitcoin into cold storage, which was initially interpreted as a long-term investment strategy. The move had been seen by many as a sign that one of the most conservative financial institutions was bullish on Bitcoin’s future. However, just months later, BlackRock executed a massive sale of $188.7 million worth of Bitcoin on December 26, 2024. On the same day, it also moved $1.88 billion worth of Bitcoin into Coinbase wallets, which fueled speculation that the company was responding to the recent downturn in the crypto market.
Furthermore, the data from Farside Investors revealed that on January 2, 2025, IBIT experienced its largest outflow, with investors pulling out $332.6 million. While there were no significant outflows over the following days, outflows rose again on January 8, 2025, with an additional $100 million withdrawn. This chain of events has led to concerns about the short-term direction of Bitcoin, with some market participants viewing this as a bearish signal, while others see it as a potential buying opportunity, expecting Bitcoin to recover.
Adding to the complexity, BlackRock recently released an educational video casting doubt on Bitcoin’s ability to maintain its capped supply of 21 million coins. This move has raised further questions about BlackRock’s influence on the crypto sector and whether it is trying to shift Bitcoin’s fundamental properties. While this may create some uncertainty, it also underscores the importance of paying attention to institutional movements, as they continue to play a major role in shaping the crypto market’s future.
#Bitcoin #BTC #BlackRock #CryptoMarket

#blackRock
In a recent revelation from Arkham Intelligence, it has been confirmed that BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, is currently offloading Bitcoin. ($BTC ) holdings through its exchange-traded fund (#ETF ) iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). Contrary to earlier expectations of continued purchases, the firm is now selling Bitcoin, signaling a change in strategy. Arkham Intelligence shared the news on social media, accompanied by a detailed analysis of the transaction flows, showing a clear move away from Bitcoin by BlackRock.

The announcement has raised concerns within the crypto community, as BlackRock’s influence in the space had grown significantly following its Bitcoin ETF launch. Many analysts previously believed that the firm’s presence played a crucial role in driving $BTC ’s recent price surge. However, Arkham Intelligence’s findings suggest that BlackRock’s decision to sell could be a response to the recent pullback in Bitcoin’s market value.

The situation has further intensified following BlackRock's significant sell-off of $188.7 million worth of Bitcoin on December 26, marking its largest liquidation to date. On the same day, the firm moved $1.88 billion in BTC to Coinbase wallets in a series of transactions, leaving the market uncertain about whether #BlackRock⁩ intended to fully divest its holdings. This move has sparked speculation that BlackRock may be positioning itself for a market correction, with some investors viewing the sell-off as a bearish sign, while others perceive it as an opportunity to buy at lower prices.

In addition to these moves, BlackRock’s Bitcoin #ETF , IBIT, recorded a notable outflow of $332.6 million on January 2, 2024—the largest net outflow in a single day. Despite some subsequent inflows, the pattern of outflows has raised alarms among market watchers. As of now, IBIT holds over $56 billion in assets, maintaining its position as the largest Bitcoin ETF globally. While the firm has played a pivotal role in BTC’s recent rally, these recent sales and outflows could signal a shift in its approach to Bitcoin, prompting both institutional and retail investors to reassess their positions.

At the same time, #BlackRock⁩ has sparked additional controversy with a video questioning the immutability of Bitcoin’s 21 million supply cap. The video, which was widely discussed after being shared by MicroStrategy's Michael Saylor, suggests that there may be room for altering Bitcoin's supply limit. While this notion has drawn mixed reactions, with some fearing potential manipulation of Bitcoin's core principles, others argue that it may be part of a broader strategy to prepare the market for a possible future change.
#AIXBT,COOKIE,CGPTOnBinance #NFPCryptoImpact