Crypto News Today, 15 January 2026 – Bitcoin ETFs Absorb $1.7 Billion In Just 3 Days As BTC Hits $96k

[Ben Graham]

US spot Bitcoin ETFs have recorded a whopping $1.7 billion in inflows over the last three days! This is a sharp reversal from the earlier outflows. In fact, the year started shaky with $681 million in outflows in the first week. However, today, 15 January 2026, saw $843.6 million in spot BTC inflows, 14 January saw $754 million, and 13 January saw over $100 million. 

Peaking on 15 January 2026, BlackRock’s IBIT dominated the inflows, approximating $648 million out of $843.6 million clocked in a single day. Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) followed with $125.4 million, ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) at $27 million, Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) at $10.6 million, VanEck Bitcoin ETF (HODL) at $8.3 million, Franklin Bitcoin ETF (EZBC) at $5.6 million and Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) at $15.3 million. 

BTC ETF inflows also fueled Bitcoin’s brief surge past $97,000. This is a strong recovery from recent lows of $88k. The uptick interestingly coincides with ongoing buss around a pivotal US crypto regulatory bill (despite Senate proceedings facing delay).

Market Cap

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Bitcoin rocketed above $97,000 briefly during this inflow frenzy, up from supports near $90k-$92k, with the Crypto Fear and Greed Index hitting “greed” at 61. The rally aligns with post-year-end rebalancing, where investors locked in 2025 gains before piling back in above the 50-day EMA around $91,600. Meanwhile, Strategy (MicroStrategy) continued staking BTC, amplifying the supply tightness ahead of the next halving.

Bull Run 2026 Pattern:

January – Accumulation
February – Bitcoin Rally
March – Altseason
April – Bitcoin 250K
May – Bull Trap
June – Mass Liquidations
July – Bear Market

Bookmark this and check back in 6 months pic.twitter.com/MboQm6b5XM

— Chiefy (@0xChiefy) January 14, 2026

EXPLORE: Best New Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2026 

What Do Analysts Say?

Bitfinex analysts – shared with 99Bitcoins over an email – that they believe that the macroeconomic conditions would allow Bitcoin to hold strong in the long run.

“2026 started with real volatility for crypto. BTC ran about 8.5% off the yearly open, implied volume picked up, then a $3K drop in Tuesday’s US session triggered roughly $180M in long liquidations within an hour.”

“Flows and access are still moving in Bitcoin’s favour. US spot ETFs added more than $1.1B of net inflows in the first two trading days, Morgan Stanley filed for a BTC trust, MSCI kept crypto-treasury names in its indexes, helping preserve passive exposure.”

“In the background, the S&P 500 is at new highs. Metals sit near records, and US gasoline prices are at multi-year lows, easing headline inflation pressure. For traders, 2026 opens with higher volume but a macro backdrop that still leans supportive for risk.”

Explore: 16+ New and Upcoming Binance Listings in 2026

Bitfinex On US Capture Of Maduro And Bitcoin Prices

“The news about US forces capturing Nicolás Maduro represents a major geopolitical shock, with immediate spillover effects across energy markets and digital assets,” said Bitfinex analysts. “An initial rally of two to five percent in US oil equities such as Chevron and Exxon Mobil, alongside a modest pullback in crude prices, would likely reflect expectations of increased supply and reduced geopolitical risk premia.”

“This however is unlikely to be just limited to an energy market repricing. The event will have second-order implications for Bitcoin and the broader crypto market through both energy costs and risk sentiment.”

“Over the long term, a reintegration of Venezuelan oil into global markets could materially lower marginal electricity costs for energy-intensive industries, including Bitcoin mining. Venezuela holds roughly 303 billion barrels of proven reserves, and a reopening supported by an estimated $10-20 billion in US-led investment could add between one and two million barrels per day over time. Cheaper and more abundant energy would improve miner margins globally and could unlock a new phase of mining expansion, particularly in regions able to secure long-term power contracts.”

“That said, these dynamics remain highly speculative. Any meaningful increase in Venezuelan output would take years, not months, and depends entirely on how the US chooses to manage political transition, sanctions relief and long-term engagement in the country. In the near term, the crypto impact is likely to be driven less by energy fundamentals and more by shifts in macro risk appetite, volatility and cross-asset positioning following such an unprecedented geopolitical development.”

Explore: 99Bitcoins’ Q4 2025 State of Crypto Market Report

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The post Crypto News Today, 15 January 2026 – Bitcoin ETFs Absorb $1.7 Billion In Just 3 Days As BTC Hits $96k appeared first on 99Bitcoins.