BlackRock Shifts $182M Bitcoin & $91M Ethereum to Coinbase Prime in Major Custody Move

Wall Street's quiet giant just made a loud move. BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, has transferred a massive crypto position—worth a combined $273 million—to Coinbase's institutional platform.

Breaking Down the Transfer

The move isn't just a routine rebalancing. Shifting $182 million in Bitcoin and another $91 million in Ethereum to a prime brokerage platform like Coinbase Prime signals operational activation. This is where assets get prepped for things like lending, trading, or serving as collateral—the machinery of finance starts whirring.

Institutional Playbook in Action

Forget the 'buy and hold' of retail traders. This is the institutional playbook: secure custody, establish liquidity pathways, and integrate digital assets into the broader financial system. It's a process as deliberate and unemotional as reallocating a bond portfolio—only the asset class happens to be the most volatile invention since the dot-com bubble.

A Signal Through the Noise

While pundits on financial news scream about daily price swings, the real story unfolds in these silent, multi-million-dollar transactions between trusted counterparts. It's infrastructure being built, one blockchain confirmation at a time. The traditional finance titans aren't just dipping a toe in crypto waters anymore; they're plumbing the depths.

So, while your average Wall Street CEO might still publicly scoff at digital 'monkey pictures,' their treasury departments are quietly figuring out how to borrow against them. The future of finance isn't coming—it's already settling into its new custodial account.

TLDR

• BlackRock transferred 2,019 Bitcoin and 29,928 Ethereum to Coinbase Prime on Monday.
• Bitcoin ETFs from BlackRock saw $240M in net outflows last week.
• Ethereum funds experienced $558M in outflows without a single positive flow.
• Despite outflows, Bitcoin rebounded past $90,000, boosting market sentiment.

In a notable move in the cryptocurrency market, BlackRock transferred a substantial amount of digital assets to Coinbase Prime on Monday. According to blockchain data from Arkham Intelligence, the global investment giant moved 2,019 Bitcoin, valued at approximately $182 million, and 29,928 Ethereum, worth around $91 million, to Coinbase’s institutional custody and trading platform.

BlackRock just deposited 2,019 $BTC($181.7M) and 29,928 $ETH($91.3M) to Coinbase Prime.https://t.co/qmuDIrPHc6 pic.twitter.com/KfDiGyEYiX

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) December 22, 2025

This transfer comes as BlackRock continues to play a significant role in the cryptocurrency investment space. Although the company’s crypto investment products saw a large amount of capital leave last week, this move has garnered attention from market participants, as BlackRock’s asset movements often precede major trading activities.

Outflows from BlackRock’s Crypto Investment Products

Last week, BlackRock’s crypto investment products experienced substantial outflows. Bitcoin ETFs saw over $240 million in net outflows, while its ethereum funds lost around $558 million. These withdrawals followed a four-week streak of inflows, highlighting a sudden shift in investor sentiment towards cryptocurrencies. Notably, Ethereum funds had no positive flow on any day during this period, contributing to the overall decline.

The significant outflows have raised questions about the broader trends in the crypto market, especially as large institutional investors like BlackRock are involved. Despite the capital loss, Bitcoin’s price showed resilience, bouncing back past the $90,000 mark as markets opened on Monday. This price recovery offered a temporary lift to the overall market sentiment.

Bitcoin’s Price Surge Amid Outflows

Despite the outflows and recent market uncertainty, Bitcoin managed to recover swiftly. After dipping below $85,000 in the previous week, the cryptocurrency regained momentum and surpassed $90,000 ahead of the US market open. This rebound is seen as a positive sign for the crypto market, especially considering Bitcoin’s pivotal role in influencing broader market trends.

The price surge was reflected in the broader crypto market, which saw its total market capitalization increase by 1.5%, reaching a total value of $3.1 trillion within the past 24 hours. This increase in market sentiment can be attributed to Bitcoin’s rebound, further driving Optimism within the industry despite recent challenges faced by major crypto funds.

Coinbase Prime’s Role in Institutional Crypto Investment

Coinbase Prime, the institutional custody and trading platform operated by Coinbase, plays a crucial role in accommodating large transactions such as BlackRock’s recent transfer. The platform is designed to provide secure and efficient services for institutional investors looking to engage in crypto trading and asset management.

By moving its assets to Coinbase Prime, BlackRock has signaled a commitment to ensuring the security and effective management of its cryptocurrency holdings. This action further underscores the growing importance of institutional players in the cryptocurrency space, especially during times of market volatility.

Coinbase Prime’s services cater to institutional clients, providing tools for secure custody, advanced trading options, and analytics. With a growing number of institutional investors entering the crypto space, platforms like Coinbase Prime are essential in supporting the infrastructure needed for large-scale crypto transactions.