Spot Bitcoin ETFs Record Five Straight Weeks of Net Outflows, Cumulative $3.8 bn Withdrawn
U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange‑traded funds have seen investors pull roughly $3.8 billion from the products over the past five weeks, marking the longest consecutive outflow streak since the assets launched.
Weekly flow dynamics
According to data compiled by analytics firm SoSoValue, the latest seven‑day period ended with a net withdrawal of about $315 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs. The most pronounced weekly bleed occurred in the week to January 30, when redemptions topped $1.5 billion.
While the overall weekly balance was negative, the funds experienced intermittent inflow days. For example, $88 million entered the ETFs on Friday of the most recent week, yet earlier redemptions – including a $410 million pull on February 12 and additional negative sessions from February 17‑19 – outweighed those gains, leaving the week firmly in the red.
Since their inception, the spot Bitcoin ETF universe has amassed about $54 billion in net inflows, bringing total assets under management to roughly $85 billion. At current pricing, that represents close to 6.3 % of Bitcoin’s total market capitalization.
Institutional de‑risking as a driving force
Vincent Liu, chief investment officer at Kronos Research, interprets the recent outflows as a short‑term risk‑off maneuver by institutional investors rather than a signal of waning long‑term confidence in the cryptocurrency. Liu points to heightened geopolitical friction and broader macro‑economic uncertainty – notably escalating trade disputes and tariff concerns – as catalysts for the portfolio adjustments.
He added that upcoming macro data, such as the U.S. initial jobless claims report, could sway sentiment. “Weak labor market numbers could reignite expectations of future rate cuts, which might alleviate the current extreme‑fear reading on the crypto Fear & Greed Index,” Liu told Cointelegraph.
Ether ETFs follow a similar pattern
The trend is not limited to Bitcoin products. Spot Ether ETFs have also logged five consecutive weeks of net outflows, with the latest week showing a $123 million net withdrawal. Despite occasional positive days – including a $48.6 million inflow on February 17 and a $10.3 million inflow on February 13 – the aggregate weekly figure remained negative.
Analysis
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Macro‑driven liquidity shifts – The current “risk‑off” climate, spurred by uncertain trade negotiations and lingering inflation concerns, appears to be prompting institutional holders to trim exposure to more volatile crypto assets, even those accessed through regulated ETF structures.
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ETF maturity versus market sentiment – While the outflow streak reflects short‑term pressure, the underlying asset base remains substantial. With over $85 billion in AUM, spot Bitcoin ETFs still command a meaningful share of the broader crypto market.
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Potential rebound catalysts – Positive macro indicators (e.g., softer employment data) could revive demand for crypto‑linked products by lowering expectations for aggressive monetary tightening. The crypto Fear & Greed Index, presently in “extreme fear” territory, often precedes short‑term buying pressure.
- Diversification into Ether – The parallel outflows from Ether ETFs suggest a broader de‑risking of crypto exposure rather than a Bitcoin‑specific phenomenon. Investors may be rotating out of both leading tokens as they await clearer macro signals.
Key Takeaways
- Five weeks of net outflows from U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have amounted to roughly $3.8 billion.
- The largest weekly outflow in the series was $1.49 billion (week ending Jan 30).
- Spot Bitcoin ETFs still hold ~$85 billion in assets, representing about 6 % of Bitcoin’s market cap.
- Institutional investors are cited as the primary source of the pull‑back, driven by macro‑economic and geopolitical risk concerns.
- Spot Ether ETFs are experiencing a comparable outflow trend, underscoring a sector‑wide de‑risking move.
- Upcoming macro data releases and any easing of trade tensions could determine whether the outflow phase is temporary or signals a deeper shift in institutional crypto appetite.
The information presented reflects the latest available data as of February 21, 2026. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own due diligence and consult multiple sources before making investment decisions.
Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/spot-bitcoin-etfs-five-weeks-net-outflows-3-8b?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound
