Bitcoin edges near ETF average cost as inflows slow and price consolidates

New Glassnode data shows the average cost basis of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF deposits is now clustered around $80,000, with Grayscale slightly higher and Fidelity marginally lower. 

Despite the recent market pullback, this indicates that most ETF-held Bitcoin remains in unrealized profit territory.

The cost basis for ETFs has steadily increased throughout the year, reflecting continuous institutional inflows and long-term accumulation rather than short-term speculative repositioning.

Source: Glassnode

Daily inflows turn negative—but long-term demand remains strong

Fresh ETF dashboard figures from SoSoValue show – $60.48m in daily net outflows on 8 December, a modest reversal during a period of price consolidation. 

However, cumulative inflows remain substantial at $57.56 billion, and total net assets held by U.S. spot ETFs now stand at $118.50 billion—about 6.5% of Bitcoin’s market cap.

That scale suggests Bitcoin’s price structure is increasingly shaped by institutional balance sheets, rather than only retail sentiment or futures leverage.

Price consolidates above critical Bitcoin ETF entry level

Bitcoin is trading near $90,700 at press time, only a short distance above the ETF cost basis zone. The current price action exhibits sideways movement following last month’s steep decline, with the RSI near neutral levels.

If Bitcoin tests the $80K region again, that would bring the price directly into the institutional breakeven layer. This level has historically attracted structural bid support. 

Source: TradingView

Conversely, a decisive move back above $95K would pull the price away from that threshold and restore the margin cushion for ETFs.

Why this matters now

Institutional holders have built up a large supply base at relatively high prices. 

If Bitcoin continues to consolidate near those levels without triggering heavy outflows, it reinforces the idea that U.S. ETFs are functioning as long-horizon holders rather than fast-moving capital.

Final Thoughts

• Bitcoin is trading close to the ETF average entry price for the first time in months.
• Modest outflows suggest cooling, not capitulation, as institutional holding remains structurally strong.