Back

Fluctuations in Bitcoin ETFs: A Week of Record Inflows Followed by Declines

Fluctuations in Bitcoin ETFs

What Is a Bitcoin ETF?

A Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a great option for investors who want to get into Bitcoin without directly owning it. A BTC ETF allows you to invest in Bitcoin without having to deal with the complications that are associated with cryptocurrencies. Their price is pegged to Bitcoin itself, which means they will mirror the same price action. These ETFs are managed by funds and are traded on regular stock exchanges. They also allow for trades like short selling, which allows you to bet against Bitcoin’s price without using complicated methods.

For mainstream investors, Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are still new territories because of risks and unclear regulations. Buying Bitcoin means installing wallets and dealing with crypto exchanges, which can be confusing and is a significant learning curve. With a Bitcoin ETF, you can skip all that and simply buy and sell the asset. Owning the ETF gives you exposure to Bitcoin, and you don’t have to dip your toes into the complicated world of cryptocurrency.

Record Inflows Followed by Decline

Spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. experienced a lot of bullishness last week, which resulted in record inflows. According to data from Farside Investors, these ETFs collectively experienced $2.6 billion in new investments during the five days ending on March 15. Most of this volume flowed from Monday to Wednesday, when we also saw Bitcoin hit $74,000, reaching a new all-time high.

However, the momentum started to decline towards the end of the week, with net inflows dropping to $133 million on Thursday and $198 million on Friday. This coincided with Bitcoin’s decline below $65,000 over the weekend.

Record Inflow followed by decline
Bitcoin ETF flow table ($US million) Source: Farside

Sign up on BITFLEX today via our link and trade Bitcoin hassle-free. Seize this exclusive opportunity and redeem up to $68,888 in rewards. Act now and claim your reward!

Shift in Momentum This Week

The momentum shifted this week, with Grayscale’s ETF recording huge daily outflows. On Monday, outflows reached a record $642.5 million, followed by $443.5 million on Tuesday. This happened as Bitcoin experienced a 6% decline within a 48-hour period. On the other hand, Fidelity’s Bitcoin ETF, which is the second-largest Bitcoin ETF fund, also saw a big drop in inflows, with only $5.9 million flowing on Monday, which was its lowest level to date. However, there was a slight recovery on Tuesday, with inflows of $39.6 million.

Investor Behavior and Market Trends

Investors in the Grayscale fund have been quite active since its conversion into an ETF in January. Meanwhile, money has been flowing into the nine new spot bitcoin ETFs approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. However, the inflow numbers for most ETFs are underwhelming. We can see a decline in the overall Bitcoin ETF market.

Investor Behavior and Market trend
Bitcoin spot ETF cumulative flow. Source: Farside

Impact on Bitcoin’s Price and Market Sentiment

The outflows from Grayscale’s ETF this week brought the total to approximately $12.5 billion since January 10 (the introduction of Bitcoin ETFs). Despite this, the 53% increase in Bitcoin’s price has helped offset some of these losses. Grayscale mentioned that they expected investors to sell shares and engage in arbitrage trading, which resulted in an outflow.

Impact on Bitcoin's Price and Market sentiment
GBTC Daily Flow. Source: Farside

Market experts have pointed to several factors contributing to Bitcoin’s recent price drop and outflows, including the upcoming halving event and the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting on March 20. Most other Bitcoin funds witnessed small inflows or little change in their assets. The lack of buyers and Grayscale’s massive outflows made Monday the lowest single day for Bitcoin ETF flows since late January.

Final Takeaway

While the outflows are likely to impact Bitcoin’s price in the short term, it does not necessarily mean that the money won’t flow into ETFs in the coming weeks. This is quite normal as Bitcoin ETFs were booming, and it is only logical that people will start taking profits at some point. Investors may still find opportunities amidst market fluctuations to invest in Bitcoin ETFs, and there is potential for the bullish momentum to continue.

Maximize your Bitcoin trading potential with BITFLEX! Register through our link and redeem rewards of up to $68,888. Don’t let this exclusive offer slip away – claim your reward now!

DISCLAIMER: All content on CryptoKid.com is provided for informational purposes and is not an offer to buy or sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any product, service, or investment. The opinions expressed on CryptoKid.com do not constitute investment advice, and independent financial advice should be sought where appropriate. Trading is a highly risky activity that can lead to major losses; therefore, please consult your financial advisor before making any decision. CryptoKid.com will not be held liable for any of your personal trading or investing decisions. CryptoKid.com will not be held liable for any losses you may incur by speculating in the market.

Please view the full disclaimer at: CryptoKid.com/disclaimer

Founder of CryptoKid.com, 17 y/o Technical Analyst & Angel Investor