Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded their strongest weekly inflows since early October, signaling a renewed return of institutional capital as selling pressure from large holders continues to ease.
According to data from SoSoValue, US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $1.42 billion in net inflows over the past week, marking the largest weekly total in more than three months.
ETF inflows spike midweek
ETF demand accelerated sharply during the middle of the week.
Wednesday recorded the largest single-day inflow at approximately $844 million
Tuesday followed with about $754 million in net inflows
Despite a late-week pullback — including $395 million in outflows on Friday — the strong midweek demand was enough to lift the weekly total to its highest level since early October, when ETFs pulled in roughly $2.7 billion.
The pattern suggests institutional buyers are selectively re-entering the market through regulated investment vehicles.
Ether ETFs also see renewed interest
Spot Ether ETFs showed a similar, though smaller, inflow pattern.
Tuesday: ~$290 million net inflows
Wednesday: ~$215 million net inflows
However, late-week selling trimmed gains, with roughly $180 million in outflows on Friday, bringing Ether ETF inflows to around $479 million for the week.
Institutional bid strengthens as whale selling eases
Vincent Liu, chief investment officer at Kronos Research, said the data points to a gradual return of long-only institutional allocators.
“ETF inflows point to long-only investors re-entering via regulated channels,” Liu told Cointelegraph.
He added that onchain indicators show Bitcoin whale selling has declined compared with late December, easing a major source of distribution pressure.
“ETF absorption alongside whale stabilization implies tightening effective supply and a more risk-on market environment,” Liu said.
With fewer large holders distributing coins and ETFs continuing to absorb spot supply, available Bitcoin liquidity appears to be tightening beneath the market — even as price volatility remains elevated.
Early-stage shift, not full confirmation
Despite improving signals, Liu cautioned that the trend remains in its early stages.
“This is an early phase of the shift, rather than full confirmation,” he said.
Still, the combination of steady ETF inflows, reduced whale selling and improving market structure suggests a more durable institutional bid may be forming.
“Odds point to more green days, though not in a straight line,” Liu added. “ETF inflows are providing a structural bid while easing whale selling suggests dips are more likely to be absorbed.”
Short-term inflows alone may not sustain rallies
Not all analysts are convinced that ETF inflows are enough to drive a lasting uptrend on their own.
According to Bitcoin macro research firm Ecoinometrics, recent ETF inflow spikes have often triggered short-lived price rebounds rather than sustained rallies.
The firm noted that while positive inflow days can stabilize prices, Bitcoin typically requires multiple consecutive weeks of strong ETF demand to shift the broader trend meaningfully.
Without sustained inflows, price strength has historically faded once ETF buying slows, suggesting that consistency — not isolated surges — remains the key factor for a durable recovery.
