US spot Bitcoin ETFs and Ethereum ETFs are experiencing sustained outflows in 2026 as investors rotate capital into international equity markets. After a strong 2024 fueled by steady inflows, crypto exchange-traded funds are now facing mounting pressure from shifting macroeconomic conditions and changing investor sentiment.
So far this year, both Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs have recorded only two weeks of positive inflows. Total assets in US spot Bitcoin ETFs have declined sharply from nearly $115 billion to approximately $83 billion. Ethereum ETFs have seen an even steeper drop, with assets under management falling from around $18 billion to roughly $11 billion. This consistent decline signals more than short-term volatility; it reflects a clear reduction in institutional demand for crypto exposure through ETFs.
At the same time, international ETFs—particularly global ex-US equity funds—are attracting record inflows. In January alone, global ex-US stock funds captured about one-third of total ETF inflows, despite representing a much smaller share of total ETF assets. This significant capital rotation suggests institutional investors are trimming positions in crowded US growth trades, including cryptocurrency, and reallocating funds to overseas markets perceived as undervalued and positioned for recovery.
Rising US Treasury yields are adding further pressure. A resilient US labor market has pushed yields higher, tightening financial conditions and increasing the appeal of bonds relative to high-risk assets. Bitcoin and Ethereum, often viewed as high-beta liquidity plays, tend to struggle when investors favor safer, yield-generating instruments.
In 2024, crypto ETFs acted as powerful demand drivers, amplifying price rallies through sustained inflows. In 2026, however, that dynamic has reversed. ETFs are now functioning as distribution channels, weighing on short-term price momentum. While the long-term crypto investment thesis remains intact, continued ETF outflows and ongoing capital rotation into international equities may limit upside potential for Bitcoin and Ethereum in the near term.
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