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Bitcoin ETFs outflow surged for the first time since 2017, signaling a sharp shift in investor sentiment. This reversal followed the global adoption of DeepSeek, China’s cutting-edge AI app, which rattled financial markets and caused nearly $1 billion in liquidations across the crypto sector.
According to SoSoValue, spot Bitcoin ETFs outflows totaled $457.48 million on January 28, breaking a week-long streak of inflows that had brought in $4.2 billion. Fidelity’s FBTC bore the brunt, losing $268.59 million, followed by Grayscale’s GBTC with $108.47 million in outflows.
The sudden Bitcoin ETFs outflows appear closely linked to the rise of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI rival to ChatGPT. Developed at a fraction of the cost of Western counterparts like OpenAI, DeepSeek has gained significant traction globally as an open-source tool, raising fears of eroding U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence.
“DeepSeek’s success underscores China’s growing influence in tech,” said Sarah Ellison, a tech strategist at MarketPulse. “This is not just a challenge for the AI sector; it’s reshaping global investor confidence and sending shockwaves through the crypto market.”
The launch of DeepSeek triggered a risk-off sentiment, with investors fleeing high-risk assets like Bitcoin. On January 27, Bitcoin plunged from $105,000 to a low of $97,855, its steepest drop in months, before recovering slightly to $102,998.
Among the 12 spot Bitcoin ETFs tracked, Fidelity’s FBTC saw the largest outflows, shedding $268.59 million in a single day. Grayscale’s GBTC followed with $108.47 million in withdrawals, while Bitwise’s BITB and ARK 21Shares’ ARKB reported outflows of $88.57 million and $50.11 million, respectively.
VanEck’s HODL ETF experienced a modest $5.68 million outflow, highlighting the broad impact of the sell-off. However, not all funds were hit. BlackRock’s IBIT ETF stood out as the only gainer, attracting $63.94 million in inflows. This brought its cumulative net inflows to nearly $40 billion, cementing its dominance in the Bitcoin ETF space.
“BlackRock’s resilience shows that institutional investors still have faith in certain well-established funds,” remarked Mark Rivers, a financial analyst at CryptoWatch.
Despite the outflows, trading volumes for Bitcoin ETFs surged to $4.8 billion on January 27, up from $3.65 billion the previous day. Analysts view this as a sign of heightened market activity amid growing uncertainty.
“This level of trading shows that while some investors are pulling out, others see the dip as an opportunity,” said Rachel Kim, a senior market analyst at ChainData.
The surge in Bitcoin ETFs outflows has reignited concerns about the stability of crypto-focused investment products. With Bitcoin ETFs outflows totaling $457.48 million in a single day, analysts are closely monitoring the cascading effects on the broader market.
These Bitcoin ETFs outflows mark a stark reversal from the inflow streak seen earlier this month, where over $4.2 billion flowed into these funds. The spike in Bitcoin ETFs outflows has been attributed to risk-off sentiment triggered by global economic uncertainties and the disruptive rise of China’s DeepSeek AI.
As more investors re-evaluate their portfolios, the persistence of Bitcoin ETFs outflows could signal a shift in institutional confidence. While BlackRock’s IBIT ETF managed to offset the broader trend, the magnitude of these Bitcoin ETFs outflows underscores growing unease within the market.
As Bitcoin hovers near the $103,000 mark, market watchers are divided on what’s next. The long-term impact of DeepSeek’s emergence on global markets remains uncertain, but the short-term turbulence is undeniable.
The resurgence of Bitcoin ETFs outflows has left analysts cautious. “Investors are clearly on edge,” said crypto economist James Carter. “The combination of global economic uncertainty and technological shifts like DeepSeek is reshaping the narrative for both crypto and traditional markets.”
While Bitcoin has shown resilience in the past, its ability to withstand these new challenges will be closely monitored.
The recent spike in Bitcoin ETFs outflows reflects growing uncertainty in global markets, exacerbated by disruptive technologies like DeepSeek. With $457 million exiting Bitcoin ETFs in just one day and trading volumes hitting $4.8 billion, the market is navigating uncharted waters.
As Bitcoin stabilizes at $102,998, investors are left weighing risks against opportunities in an increasingly volatile landscape. The spotlight is now on whether institutional support, led by funds like BlackRock’s IBIT, can counterbalance the headwinds posed by technological and geopolitical developments. Get more from The Bit Gazette
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