BlackRock’s IBIT recorded a $1.29B dark pool block trade on May 26, 2026, described as the largest single institutional bitcoin ETF print on record. Galaxy Research estimated the trade size at about 16,400 BTC, executed around 10:30 a.m. ET near $43.16 per share and covering roughly 29 million shares. IBIT closed slightly higher at $42.99, while bitcoin traded near $75,900 during the session. The transaction was confirmed as an intermarket sweep order. Dark pool trades are private off-exchange executions that can move large positions with minimal price disruption, often involving one institution shifting holdings to another. The effect on ETF assets under management depends on next-day flow data, expected to show whether the trade caused record outflows or reflected rebalancing.
"BlackRock's IBIT saw a $1.29B dark pool block trade on May 26, 2026, the largest single institutional bitcoin ETF print on record. Galaxy Research's Alex Thorn estimated the trade equaled roughly 16,400 BTC, yet IBIT closed up slightly at $42.99. Wednesday ETF flow data will confirm whether the trade triggers record single-day bitcoin ETF outflows or reflects simple rebalancing. As of publication, the stats have not been released."
"According to several reports, the order was executed around 10:30 a.m. ET at approximately $43.16 per share, covering roughly 29 million shares. Bloomberg ETF analysts Eric Balchunas and James Seyffart confirmed the transaction as an intermarket sweep order. The single candle generated on IBIT's chart surpassed the fund's typical full-day trading volume. Galaxy Research's Alex Thorn stated it was the largest IBIT block trade he had seen."
"Massive $1.289 billion IBIT block sale by unknown party through dark pool at 10:30 am today, biggest such trade I've ever seen, Thorn wrote. Dark pools are private, off-exchange trading venues used by institutional players to move large positions with minimal price disruption. The mechanics mean there is always a buyer on the other side. The trade could reflect a portfolio rebalancing, a hedging position, an options-related transaction, or a straight liquidation."
"Market observers noted that dark pool transactions of this size often represent one institution shifting holdings to another, with the net effect on ETF assets under management only becoming clear through next-day flow data. Wednesday's reported flows are expected to confirm whether Tuesday's trade registers as a major outflow event. Bitcoin held near $75,900 during the session, showing no significant disruption tied to the trade. At 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, BTC is changing hands for $75,600 per coin."
Read at news.bitcoin.com
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