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Spot Bitcoin ETFs see $1.42bn inflows in best week

Written by Heidi Cuthbert Published Jan. 17 2026Last Updated Jan. 17 2026

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Spot Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) exchange-traded funds recorded $1.42bn in net inflows over the past week, marking their strongest weekly performance since early October as institutional demand showed signs of recovery.

The surge came as investors increasingly favoured regulated investment products amid easing selling pressure from large Bitcoin holders and signs of tightening effective supply.

Data from SoSoValue showed inflows were heavily concentrated in the middle of the week, highlighting renewed confidence after weeks of cautious positioning.

Wednesday delivered the largest single-day net inflow of approximately $844m, making it the strongest session for spot Bitcoin ETFs in several months.

Tuesday followed closely with roughly $754m in net inflows, reinforcing the view that demand was driven by institutional allocators rather than retail flows.

Late-week activity was weaker, with Friday posting a net outflow of around $395m as some investors took profits or reduced exposure.

Despite the pullback, cumulative inflows for the week still reached $1.42bn, the highest weekly total since early October when spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted about $2.7bn.

Spot Ether (CRYPTO:ETH) ETFs also saw early-week strength, with Tuesday recording the largest single-day inflow of around $290m.

Wednesday added a further $215m in Ether ETF inflows before sentiment softened later in the week.

Friday marked the weakest session for Ether ETFs, with net outflows of roughly $180m trimming total weekly inflows to about $479m.

Vincent Liu, chief investment officer at Kronos Research, said the flow pattern suggests long-only investors are gradually returning through regulated vehicles.

ETF inflows point to long-only allocators re-entering via regulated channels.

Vincent Liu said.

ETF absorption alongside whale stabilisation implies tightening effective supply and a more risk-on market environment.

Vincent Liu added.

Liu noted that on-chain data shows large holders have reduced net selling compared with late December, easing a major source of distribution pressure.

He said the combination of slower whale selling and steady ETF demand is contributing to a market with less readily available supply.

However, Liu cautioned that the shift remains at an early stage and does not yet confirm a sustained trend reversal.

This is an early phase of the shift, rather than full confirmation.

Vincent Liu said, pointing to the need for continued inflows and stable market structure.

Odds point to more green days, though not in a straight line.

Vincent Liu added.

ETF inflows are providing a structural bid while easing whale selling suggests dips are more likely to be absorbed.

Separate analysis from Bitcoin macro newsletter Ecoinometrics warned that recent ETF inflow spikes have often led to short-lived price rebounds rather than sustained rallies.

The newsletter said gains tend to fade once inflows slow, limiting the impact of isolated positive weeks.

Ecoinometrics argued that several consecutive weeks of strong ETF demand are needed to shift the broader market trend.

It added that cumulative ETF flows remain deeply negative, meaning sporadic inflows may stabilise prices but are unlikely to support a lasting uptrend on their own.

At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $95,216.02.