Bitcoin ETFs Bounce Back After Six-Day Outflow Streak

The recovery was led by BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust, followed by Fidelity and ARK 21Shares. It suggests that there is renewed investor confidence despite recent macroeconomic uncertainty. Ethereum ETFs also showed signs of stabilization after similar losses, while Solana ETFs continued to attract steady inflows since their launch. Meanwhile, a new Schwab Asset Management report revealed that almost half of US ETF investors plan to buy crypto ETFs, with Millennials leading the charge.

Bitcoin ETFs Rally After Steep Pullback

United States spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) broke a six-day streak of outflows on Thursday after recording a collective net inflow of $239.9 million. This happened after almost $1.4 billion was drained from the market over the past week. The turnaround now suggests that there is some renewed investor confidence after a period of macroeconomic uncertainty and widespread profit-taking that weighed heavily on institutional Bitcoin investment vehicles.

According to data from Farside Investors, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led the recovery, pulling in $112.4 million in new capital. Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) followed closely with $61.6 million in inflows, while the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) added another $60.4 million. Grayscale’s flagship Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), which has struggled with consistent outflows since mid-October, saw no change during the rebound. 

Bitcoin ETF flows (Source: Farside Investors)

Despite the renewed optimism, the six-day sell-off that preceded Thursday’s inflows was one of the sharpest pullbacks since spot Bitcoin ETFs began trading earlier last year, thanks to the continued sensitivity of crypto markets to macroeconomic conditions.

Similar trends were observed across Ethereum-based ETFs, which also endured a six-day streak of outflows totaling around $837 million. However, those losses were partially offset on Thursday, when spot Ethereum ETFs recorded modest inflows of $12.51 million, hinting at a potential stabilization in investor sentiment. 

Meanwhile, newly launched Solana ETFs outperformed expectations since debuting on Oct. 28 by attracting roughly $322 million in inflows without registering a single day of outflows so far. This is certainly a sign that there is strong and sustained interest in the Solana ecosystem.

Solana ETF flows (Source: Farside Investors)

Crypto market maker Wintermute pointed to ETFs as one of the three key pillars driving liquidity across the digital asset market, alongside stablecoins and digital asset treasuries. In a recent blog post, the firm explained that liquidity is a more powerful force in shaping crypto cycles than even technological innovation.

Investors Eye Crypto ETFs

Almost half of all ETF investors in the United States are actually planning to buy a crypto ETF, matching the number of those who intend to invest in bond ETFs. This is  according to a new report from Schwab Asset Management. 

The findings were released on Thursday in Schwab’s ETFs and Beyond report, and they suggest that investor appetite for digital assets is rapidly approaching parity with traditional investment instruments like bonds.

The survey revealed that 52% of respondents plan to invest in a US equities-tracking ETF, while 45% expressed interest in crypto ETFs — tying them with bond ETFs for second place. Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas described the results as “shocking,” especially when considering the relatively small size of the crypto ETF market compared to bonds, which make up 17% of total ETF assets under management, while crypto represents just 1%. Schwab’s survey included 2,000 individual investors aged between 25 and 75, all with at least $25,000 in investable assets and some ETF trading experience in the past two years.

The report also revealed a clear generational divide in investor interest. Millennials — those born between 1981 and 1996 — showed the strongest enthusiasm for crypto ETFs, with 57% indicating plans to invest in them. In contrast, only 41% of Gen X respondents and just 15% of Baby Boomers reported similar intentions. 

(Source: Schwab Asset Management)

Balchunas said the survey reflected a “super-optimistic” outlook for ETFs overall, particularly among younger investors who are embracing these investment vehicles as accessible and cost-efficient options.

Cost and accessibility were mentioned as key reasons driving ETF adoption. An overwhelming 94% of respondents said ETFs help reduce costs in their portfolios, while about half agreed that ETFs allow them to diversify into niche strategies and alternative asset classes beyond traditional holdings. 

Schwab’s managing director, David Botset, shared that the investment landscape is quickly evolving as individual investors gain access to a much broader range of asset classes and products. He noticed that ETF investors are now leading this transformation, using ETFs not only as low-cost core portfolio tools but also as gateways to emerging investment opportunities like cryptocurrencies.