U.S.-listed exchange-traded funds tied to bitcoin and ether saw strong inflows last week, marking their most active week in roughly three months.
The 11 spot bitcoin ETFs collectively added $1.42 billion, the largest weekly total since mid-October, according to TradingView data. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led the surge, accounting for $1.03 billion of the inflows.
Ether ETFs also experienced a notable pickup in demand. Spot ether products attracted $479 million last week, their highest weekly inflows since early October. BlackRock’s ETHA fund captured $219 million of that total.
Year-to-date, bitcoin ETFs have accumulated $1.21 billion in net inflows, while ether ETFs have added $584.9 million.
Market analysts noted that most of the recent capital represents outright bullish positions, signaling the return of longer-term, “sticky” institutional money. This marks a departure from cash-and-carry arbitrage strategies—long ETF positions paired with short CME futures—which have become less attractive as yields have diminished.
The inflows have supported prices. Bitcoin has risen about 6% this month to roughly $92,600, while ether has gained nearly 8% to around $3,200, according to CoinDesk data.
“The strong correlation between ETF inflows and price movements indicates that institutional capital is actively shaping market trends rather than following retail sentiment,” CoinDesk’s market insights model said. “This stands in contrast to late 2025, when bitcoin struggled to gain traction despite moderate ETF demand.”
The model added that institutions appear to be positioning ahead of potential regulatory clarity and macroeconomic developments expected in the first quarter of 2026.
Analysts warn that sustaining these inflows will be crucial for bitcoin and ether to maintain upward momentum in the months ahead, particularly after significant outflows in late 2025.
