BlackRock and Ark Invest offloaded hundreds of millions worth of BTC in August, even as analysts warn that prices could fall below six figures before recovering. Bitcoin’s rally above $100,000 is facing fresh turbulence as major institutions trim their holdings and veteran traders sound alarms of a steep correction ahead. 

BlackRock and Ark Invest Reduce Bitcoin Exposure

BlackRock disclosed the sale of 490 BTC valued at $68.7 million, along with $87.2 million in Ethereum. Despite trimming exposure, the firm still controls 749,500 BTC, cementing its place among the world’s largest corporate holders.

At the same time, the firm’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) crossed $91 billion in assets under management, underlining sustained investor appetite for regulated Bitcoin ETFs despite the selloff.

Ark Invest Reduced Exposure as well. In August, The Ark 21Shares Bitcoin ETF has sold 559 BTC, which amounts to approximately 64.4 million dollars, thus representing one of its highest single-month sales this year 2025. The action is in line with the general spillage of Bitcoin ETFs listed in the U.S. in recent market corrections.

Veteran Trader Predicts Bitcoin Drop Below $100,000

Adding to market pressure, veteran trader Dr. Profit said he is “more than confident” Bitcoin will slip below $100,000 in September. He expects a retracement before the market attempts to climb to fresh all-time highs later this year.

I‘m more than confident that Bitcoin will dump below $100,000 in September, followed by new ATH‘s in the coming weeks and months after ⏳

— Doctor Profit 🇨🇭 (@DrProfitCrypto) August 19, 2025

Another analyst, Bull Theory, forecast a dip toward the $98,000 support zone, followed by a sharp rebound targeting $160,000 to $200,000 over the next six months. Their analysis is based on liquidity conditions and technical market patterns.

Bitcoin is currently trading near 115,655, according to TradingView data. Analysts agree that defending this level will be critical in determining whether short-term weakness deepens into a larger correction.

Institutional Strategies Show Diverging Paths

However, despite the decrease in exposure by BlackRock and Ark Invest, some institutions are purchasing into the weakness. Strategy contributed 430 BTC worth 51.4 million dollars to its total, and Japanese company Metaplanet contributed 775 BTC, raising its total entitlement to 18888 BTC.

With such an aggressive accumulation position, Metaplanet has received a Bitcoin leverage rating of 18.67x by Signum, seen as another sign of confidence in the long-term value of this asset despite its short-term volatility.

Cathie Wood has also kept her long-term bullish position. She had previously predicted that in the next several years, Bitcoin would attain the price of one and a half million dollars, based on the increasing corporate adoption and token participation by institutional investors.

Market Outlook and Risk Considerations

This has presented a litmus test to the market. In case the predictions made by traders are right, Bitcoin will drop below 100,000 dollars, then rise. Glassnode shows that the number of long-term holders is remaining consistent, but a lot of the volatility is propelled by short-term traders.

Regulatory changes, ETF flows, and institutional allocation considerations will continue to be important factors through this week. They are suggesting investors exercise caution and state that liquidity pressures and sharp fluctuations remain the norm in the market structure of Bitcoin.

These actions by BlackRock and Ark Invest reflect profit-taking; the opposite, taking place, was accumulation by companies such as Metaplanet to store treasury, which exemplifies the emerging nature of Bitcoin as a speculative and treasury asset. What remains to be seen now is whether the bulls can clear the support at $109 000 or are further corrections are to be expected.