Daily Crypto Briefs 
NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2025
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust and iShares Ethereum Trust transferred 2,019 BTC and 29,928 ETH to Coinbase Prime on Monday, Dec. 22, a combined $270 million, according to Arkham Intelligence. The move landed as Bitcoin touched $90,166 and sparked debate about selling pressure.
The transfers went to Coinbase Prime, which handles custody and settlement for these funds. It was not immediately clear whether the coins moved to match share creations, redemptions, or routine custody operations.
ETF market structure analysts said transfers like this are standard for ETF creation and redemption flows and do not by themselves confirm a market sale. IBIT has logged about $25 billion in net inflows in 2025 despite recent outflows, according to flow tallies.
BlackRock continues to highlight the Bitcoin ETF in its product materials, according to its iShares Bitcoin Trust page.
BlackRock Coinbase Prime transfer numbers
iShares Bitcoin Trust and iShares Ethereum Trust totals
Data tracked by Arkham Intelligence showed 2,019 BTC worth about $182 million and 29,928 ETH worth about $91 million sent to Coinbase Prime. The totals add up to about $270 million.
Why Coinbase Prime is used for ETF custody
Coinbase Prime provides custody and settlement services used by ETF issuers and authorized participants. Authorized participants are broker-dealers that create or redeem ETF shares by delivering or receiving the underlying assets. Transfers to Prime can reflect that plumbing rather than a direct sale on a public exchange.
Bitcoin at $90,166 and the Fed report rumor
Bitcoin price timing at $90,166
The transfers landed as Bitcoin touched $90,243, a price point that draws attention from traders. That timing widened speculation that the move signaled selling pressure.
Fed report rumor without a source
Some posts tied the transfers to a Federal Reserve report, yet no such report was found. It was not clear who started the claim, and the rumor has no confirmed source.
Bitcoin ETF and Ethereum ETF plumbing
ETF creations and redemptions in plain terms
When demand rises, authorized participants create new ETF shares by delivering bitcoin or ether to the fund. When investors redeem, the process runs in reverse and assets move back out. These custody transfers can look like large sells on-chain even when they are routine settlement steps.
IBIT flow context and ETF inflows
IBIT has still logged about $25 billion in net inflows in 2025 despite recent outflows, according to flow tallies. BlackRock continues to frame its Bitcoin ETF as a key investment theme in its iShares Bitcoin Trust materials.
For more context on earlier IBIT transfers and outflows, see our BlackRock outflow report.
Suspicious points in the BlackRock Coinbase Prime move
Fed report rumor chain
The Fed report claim is the most suspicious element because no report was found and no source was cited. A narrative built on that claim rests on a gap rather than a document.
Bitcoin timing and optics
The transfers landed as Bitcoin printed $90,166, which created an easy sell narrative even without proof. That timing alone is not evidence of manipulation, but it explains why debate spiked.
Missing ETF share activity disclosure
It was not disclosed which creation or redemption orders the transfers matched or whether they linked to investor activity that day. That gap leaves room for speculation, even though custody moves are common.
Primary sources and further reading
| Source | Title |
|---|---|
| | Arkham Intelligence |
| | BlackRock - iShares Bitcoin Trust |
| | Coinbase Prime |
Fact-checked by: Daily Crypto Briefs Fact-Check Desk
Frequently Asked Questions
What should readers watch next in BlackRock ETF flow headlines?
Track multi-week ETF flow totals, any disclosed creation or redemption activity, and whether those match on-chain transfer timing. Broader access remains a catalyst for flows, including the recent policy change at Vanguard that reopened crypto ETF trading for many clients.
Did BlackRock sell bitcoin or ether in the $270M Coinbase Prime transfers?
The transfers show assets moving to Coinbase Prime, which is used for custody and settlement. On-chain moves alone do not confirm a market sale and no sale was disclosed.
What is IBIT?
IBIT is the iShares Bitcoin Trust, BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF referenced in this report. It holds BTC in custody and its flows can shape the U.S. spot ETF category.
What is the iShares Ethereum Trust?
It is BlackRock's Ethereum ETF referenced in this report. Arkham data showed 29,928 ETH moved to Coinbase Prime as part of the transfer.
Why use Coinbase Prime for ETF transfers?
Coinbase Prime provides custody and settlement services used by ETF issuers and authorized participants. Transfers can reflect share creations and redemptions.
What sparked the Fed report rumor?
Some posts tied the transfers to a Federal Reserve report, yet no report was found and no source was cited.