Spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States have made significant headlines, recording more than double the weekly net inflows of their Bitcoin counterparts amid macroeconomic uncertainty driven by former President Trump’s trade policies. According to data from SoSoValue, the nine spot Ethereum ETFs collectively saw $420.06 million in net inflows during the week of February 3–February 7, 2025. This marks the first time that Ethereum ETFs have surpassed Bitcoin ETFs in weekly net inflows, signaling growing institutional interest in Ethereum (ETH) over Bitcoin (BTC).
The ether ETF weekly inflows began with a solid $83.54 million on February 3 (Monday), but a major spike occurred on February 4 (Tuesday), when Eric Trump, the son of former U.S. President Donald Trump, posted on social media: “It’s a great time to add ETH.” The post seemed to trigger a massive surge in ETH prices, which shot up by more than 35%, climbing from $2,300 to over $2,900 within a single day. Following this surge, Ethereum ETFs recorded a remarkable $307.77 million in inflows on that Tuesday, a massive boost that pushed their weekly total to an unprecedented level.
“This is the first time we’ve seen ether ETF weekly inflows outpace Bitcoin’s on a week-to-week basis, and it’s tied directly to market reactions to macroeconomic factors and the popularity of Ethereum-based trading strategies,” said an analyst at SoSoValue.
The ether ETF weekly inflows continued throughout the week, albeit more modestly, with $18.1 million on Wednesday and $10.7 million on Thursday. By Friday, there was no significant inflow activity, leaving the ether ETF weekly inflows to end the week at a strong $420.06 million.
Growing Interest in Ethereum Over Bitcoin
The surge in ether ETF weekly inflows coincides with a broader trend in institutional interest. Analysts from Coinbase linked the increase in Ethereum ETF investments to rising demand for Ethereum in CME-basis trading, where investors go long on spot Ethereum and short futures to profit from price gaps. “With CME ETH trades yielding 16% returns last week, compared to Bitcoin’s 10%, institutions seem to prefer ETH for short-term trading strategies,” the analysts noted.
As a result, Ethereum ETFs have garnered increasing attention. The total net inflows into these spot Ethereum funds reached a substantial $3.18 billion as of the latest reports, marking Ethereum’s rise as a favorable asset for institutional traders. The ether ETF weekly inflows highlight how Ethereum’s growing institutional adoption could reshape the crypto market landscape.
Bitcoin ETFs: A Mixed Week
In contrast to the ether ETF weekly inflows, Bitcoin ETFs faced a more mixed week. The 12 spot Bitcoin ETFs, which recently celebrated their first anniversary, recorded substantial withdrawals earlier in the week, driven by market uncertainty and tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. On February 3 (Monday), the first trading day after tariffs were imposed on China, Mexico, and Canada, Bitcoin ETFs saw $234.54 million in withdrawals. Another $140.3 million was withdrawn on Thursday, adding to the losses.
However, Bitcoin ETFs managed to bounce back with $340.82 million in inflows on Tuesday, $66.38 million on Wednesday, and $171.19 million on Friday. By the end of the week, Bitcoin ETFs had recorded a $203.54 million net inflow, nearly 63% lower than the previous week’s $559.84 million.
“The fluctuations in Bitcoin ETF inflows reflect investor caution, as macroeconomic factors and trade policies continue to weigh on the market,” said a crypto market strategist. Despite the mixed performance, Bitcoin’s price has shown signs of recovery, rising by 4.6% over the past seven days, trading at $97,150.
Institutional Shifts Towards Ethereum
The divergence between ether ETF weekly inflows and Bitcoin ETF inflows underscores the growing appeal of Ethereum over Bitcoin among institutional investors. Ethereum’s appeal has been bolstered by its robust use case beyond simple store-of-value applications, especially in the DeFi (decentralized finance) space and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). “Ethereum is positioned for greater long-term growth, and this is reflected in the institutional preferences we’re seeing in the ETF market,” noted the analyst at SoSoValue.
In addition, Ethereum’s ETH 2.0 upgrade, aimed at improving scalability and energy efficiency, has increased the optimism surrounding Ethereum’s future performance, contributing to stronger ether ETF weekly inflows. These developments have solidified Ethereum’s position as a more versatile and forward-looking digital asset in comparison to Bitcoin.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Ethereum ETFs?
As the broader economic environment remains uncertain, with trade wars and inflationary concerns influencing the crypto market, Ethereum’s outperformance in ether ETF weekly inflows could signal a new trend in institutional investment. With Ethereum’s price potentially continuing to rise, fueled by growing adoption in both financial markets and decentralized applications, Ethereum ETFs are likely to remain an attractive option for investors looking to capitalize on the next phase of digital asset evolution.
In summary, the recent ether ETF weekly inflows have outpaced those of Bitcoin, driven by macroeconomic factors, including Trump’s trade war, and growing institutional interest in Ethereum. As $420.06 million in net inflows over the past week demonstrates, Ethereum is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for investors in the crypto space.
With increasing institutional adoption and the potential for further growth, Ethereum may continue to see substantial inflows, solidifying its place in the future of digital finance. TheBITGazette remains committed to providing updates on the latest trends and developments, ensuring that investors stay informed about the ever-evolving landscape of cryptocurrency investments.
