Spot Bitcoin ETFs absorbed more than $1 billion in net inflows over just three trading sessions this week, snapping five consecutive weeks of withdrawals and offering the clearest sign yet that institutional buyers are stepping back in despite Bitcoin sitting roughly 50% below its all-time high.
Data from SoSoValue shows that spot Bitcoin ETFs collectively recorded $1.02 billion in net inflows between Tuesday and Thursday, marking a decisive reversal from a prolonged outflow streak. Wednesday alone accounted for $506.51 million, the strongest single-day Bitcoin ETF inflow during the period.
The renewed demand has been widely interpreted as classic dip-buying behavior. On Friday, ETF analyst Nate Geraci said investors appear unfazed by the recent correction, arguing that the latest Bitcoin ETF inflow reflects confidence rather than panic.
“Long-term Bitcoin holders are used to volatility,” Geraci wrote on X. “What’s notable is that newer ETF investors also seem comfortable stepping in here.”
Outflows Fade as Inflows Regain Control
The surge in Bitcoin ETF inflow is particularly striking given the context. Since Bitcoin hit a record high in early October, spot Bitcoin ETFs have experienced roughly $6.5 billion in net outflows.
While that figure sounds significant, Geraci noted it is relatively small compared with the roughly $55 billion the ETF category has absorbed since launching in January 2024.
From a broader perspective, the latest Bitcoin ETF inflow suggests that the recent selling wave may have run its course. The prior five weeks saw consecutive net withdrawals, including a combined $2.82 billion in outflows across the final two weeks of January. This week’s reversal effectively snapped that negative streak.
BlackRock’s IBIT Leads the Charge
Driving the rebound was BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust. On Thursday alone, IBIT attracted $275.82 million, making it the single largest contributor to the week’s Bitcoin ETF inflow. The performance reinforced IBIT’s status as the dominant product in the spot Bitcoin ETF race.
Other funds posted mixed results. Fidelity’s FBTC and Ark 21Shares’ ARKB registered net outflows, but their losses were more than offset by gains elsewhere. Bitwise’s BITB and Grayscale’s BTC both logged positive flows, helping push the aggregate Bitcoin ETF inflow firmly into the green.
Market participants say the uneven distribution of flows highlights a maturing ETF landscape, where capital increasingly concentrates in the most liquid and trusted vehicles rather than moving uniformly across all products.
Altcoin ETFs Also Turn Positive
The recovery in Bitcoin ETF inflow has not been limited to Bitcoin alone. Altcoin-based ETFs have also shown signs of stabilization. Spot Ether ETFs added approximately $173 million over the same three-day period, while Solana-focused funds recorded around $35 million in inflows. XRP ETFs, though smaller in scale, still managed a modest $7 million in net inflows.
Analysts view the synchronized improvement across Bitcoin and altcoin ETFs as a sign that risk appetite may be slowly returning to the digital asset market, even if price action remains subdued.
ETF Flows as a Market Sentiment Barometer
ETF flows have increasingly become a key sentiment gauge for institutional and retail investors alike. According to CoinEx chief analyst Jeff Ko, improvements in Bitcoin ETF inflow often signal that aggressive selling pressure is beginning to ease.
Ko previously explained that while rising inflows are constructive, investors should temper expectations. After a steep decline, markets rarely snap back in a clean V-shaped recovery. Instead, periods of consolidation typically follow before a sustainable uptrend emerges.
That cautious optimism is echoed by Bitrue research lead Andri Fauzan Adziima. He noted that technical indicators have recently entered oversold territory and said consistent Bitcoin ETF inflow could provide the foundation for price stabilization rather than an immediate rally.
A Test of Conviction for ETF Investors
Bitcoin’s roughly 50% drawdown from its highs has tested investor resolve, but the latest Bitcoin ETF inflow suggests conviction remains intact. For seasoned Bitcoin participants, such corrections are familiar territory.
What stands out this time is the apparent resilience among newer ETF-based investors, who now have regulated vehicles to express long-term views without directly holding the asset.
As the market digests the recent volatility, all eyes remain on whether the Bitcoin ETF inflow trend can sustain itself beyond a few sessions. If inflows persist, analysts believe they could help form a durable floor for Bitcoin prices, even if a rapid rebound remains unlikely.
For now, the message from the data is clear: despite uncertainty and lingering macro pressures, investors are once again voting with their capital. The return of strong Bitcoin ETF inflow suggests that confidence, while shaken, is far from broken.