Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded a strong comeback this week, pulling in hundreds of millions in new capital, while Ether ETFs continued to struggle with outflows for the second straight week as investor appetite waned.
Bitcoin ETFs Regain Momentum
Bitcoin ETFs attracted $446 million in inflows this week, signaling renewed institutional confidence in the top cryptocurrency. Data from SoSoValue shows cumulative inflows across all Bitcoin spot ETFs have now reached $61.98 billion, with total net assets climbing to $149.96 billion. This represents roughly 6.78% of Bitcoin’s total market capitalization.
On Friday alone, Bitcoin ETFs saw an additional $90.6 million in inflows, continuing a positive trend that has gained pace in recent days. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led the way with $32.68 million, followed by Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), which added $57.92 million. IBIT remains the dominant player in the space, holding $89.17 billion in assets, while FBTC maintains $22.84 billion.
Ether ETFs Log Second Week of Outflows
While Bitcoin funds are back in favor, Ether ETFs are seeing a reversal in sentiment. Ether spot products logged $243.9 million in net outflows for the week ending Friday, following $311 million in withdrawals the week before. Combined, the two weeks have erased more than half a billion dollars from Ethereum-based ETF holdings.
The latest data puts cumulative inflows into Ether spot ETFs at $14.35 billion, with total net assets standing at $26.39 billion—around 5.55% of Ethereum’s market cap. BlackRock’s ETHA ETF saw the heaviest withdrawals, losing $100.99 million on Friday. In contrast, Grayscale’s ETHE and Bitwise’s ETHW managed to post small inflows, signaling selective confidence among investors.
Shifting Sentiment Among Institutional Investors
Vincent Liu, chief investment officer at Kronos Research, said the recent flow patterns highlight a growing rotation from Ether into Bitcoin. “Investors are doubling down on Bitcoin’s store-of-value narrative as global uncertainty rises,” Liu noted. “There’s a clear shift toward assets perceived as more resilient.”
This movement suggests institutions are prioritizing Bitcoin’s reputation as “digital gold” amid economic volatility and expectations of upcoming interest rate cuts. By contrast, Ethereum’s short-term outlook appears muted as investor enthusiasm cools following months of steady inflows.
Ether’s Challenges Ahead
Ethereum’s ETF outflows mirror softer on-chain activity and subdued trading volumes. Analysts say the network needs a new catalyst to reignite demand—such as a major protocol upgrade or a surge in decentralized finance (DeFi) and NFT activity.
Liu added that institutional investors are currently in a “wait-and-see” mode regarding Ethereum, holding off until network activity improves or new market drivers emerge. “Bitcoin is benefitting from macro optimism, but Ethereum will need its own spark to regain momentum,” he said.
Outlook for the Coming Weeks
Market watchers expect Bitcoin inflows to remain strong heading into next week, particularly if global central banks signal a dovish stance on monetary policy. Analysts believe that anticipation of rate cuts and continued institutional adoption could keep demand for Bitcoin ETFs elevated.
For Ethereum, the near-term picture is less certain. While fundamentals remain sound, sentiment may continue to cool unless new developments draw capital back to Ether products. Investors will be watching closely to see whether the recent outflows stabilize or deepen further.
