Bitcoin and Ether ETFs See Biggest Weekly Inflows in Three Months as Institutional Demand Returns

U.S.-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) focused on bitcoin and ether recorded their strongest weekly inflows in three months, signaling renewed confidence from institutional investors and strengthening bullish sentiment across the crypto market. Data from TradingView shows that the 11 spot bitcoin ETFs attracted a combined net inflow of $1.42 billion last week, the highest level since mid-October. BlackRock’s spot bitcoin ETF, IBIT, dominated activity, accounting for $1.03 billion of the total inflows.

The positive trend extended beyond bitcoin. Spot ether ETFs also experienced a surge in demand, drawing in $479 million over the same period, their best weekly performance since early October. BlackRock’s ether ETF, ETHA, led the category with $219 million in inflows, underscoring strong interest in Ethereum-linked investment products.

On a year-to-date basis, bitcoin ETFs have accumulated approximately $1.21 billion in net inflows, while ether ETFs have gathered around $584.9 million. Market analysts note that these inflows largely represent bullish, long-term positions rather than short-term trading strategies. In particular, experts point out a shift away from “cash and carry” arbitrage strategies, where investors previously paired long ETF positions with short CME futures. As yields from those strategies have become less attractive, capital appears to be rotating into more directional bets on crypto prices.

This renewed ETF demand has coincided with notable price gains. Bitcoin has risen about 6% this month to around $92,600, while ether has climbed nearly 8% to roughly $3,200, according to CoinDesk data. Analysts suggest the strong correlation between ETF inflows and price movements indicates that institutional capital is now actively shaping market structure rather than simply reacting to retail sentiment.

Compared with late 2025, when bitcoin prices struggled despite moderate ETF interest, the current environment reflects a more constructive outlook. Institutions appear to be positioning ahead of potential regulatory clarity and broader macroeconomic developments expected in early 2026. However, analysts caution that for bitcoin and ether prices to rise meaningfully in the coming months, ETF inflows will need to remain consistently strong after the significant outflows seen in late 2025.