Strongest Institutional Demand Since October
Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded approximately $1.7 billion in net inflows over three consecutive trading days last week, marking the strongest institutional demand surge since early October.
The mid-week buying spree peaked Wednesday with $843.6 million in net inflows, the largest single-day intake of 2026, followed by Tuesday's $754 million, according to Farside Investors data.
BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin ETF dominated the inflows, capturing $648 million on Wednesday alone and setting a new single-day record for the fund, while Fidelity's FBTC added $125 million.
Supply Dynamics Shifting
Vincent Liu, chief investment officer at Kronos Research, told Cointelegraph that onchain indicators show large holders have reduced net selling compared with late December, easing distribution pressure.
"ETF absorption alongside whale stabilization implies tightening effective supply and a more risk-on market environment," Liu said, adding that odds point to more positive price action though volatility will persist.
The three-day surge pushed cumulative net ETF inflows above $58.1 billion since launch in January 2024, with total assets reaching $128 billion, representing approximately 6.56% of Bitcoin's total market capitalization.
Friday Profit-Taking Tempers Weekly Gains
Thursday saw approximately $395 million in outflows as Bitcoin traded near $95,000, slightly below the $97,000 level touched earlier in the week, indicating some investors locked in profits following the rapid appreciation.
The pattern reversed early January weakness when ETFs shed over $1.1 billion across four sessions between January 6-9, suggesting institutional flows remain volatile despite structural accumulation trends.
Ethereum ETFs recorded approximately $479 million in weekly inflows with Tuesday's $290 million marking the strongest session, though Friday also saw $180 million in redemptions trimming overall gains.
Ecoinometrics newsletter noted that recent ETF inflow spikes have historically triggered short-lived price rebounds rather than sustained rallies, with gains typically fading once inflows slow.