Bitcoin and Ether ETFs based in the US kicked off 2026 with impressive momentum, achieving a combined net inflow of approximately $646 million on their first trading day, despite varied feelings across the wider crypto landscape.
On Friday, net inflows for spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs reached $471.3 million, while spot Ether (ETH) ETFs contributed $174.5 million, resulting in total inflows of $645.8 million, according to data from Farside.
US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded their highest net inflow in 35 trading days since November 11, when the group of eleven US-based ETFs collectively registered $524 million in a single trading day.
At the same time, spot Ether ETFs marked their largest single-day inflow in 15 trading days, the most significant since December 9, when $177.7 million was noted.
Crypto ETFs faced challenges in December amidst market downturns
Participants in the crypto market frequently interpret ETF inflows as a measure of mainstream investor sentiment towards the asset class, as well as a potential indicator of short-term price movements, based on whether ETFs are seeing inflows or persistent outflows.
In the last month, the spot prices of Bitcoin and Ether have declined by 1.56% and 1.39%, respectively, continuing a broader decline that began soon after Bitcoin reached a record high of $125,100 on October 5, followed by the notable $19 billion liquidation event on October 10.
This downward trend has made market participants more cautious regarding the crypto sector.
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index, which gauges overall market sentiment, has remained in the “Extreme Fear” and “Fear” zones since early November.
On Sunday, the Index dipped back into “Extreme Fear” territory with a score of 25.
Institutional investors are “loading up,” according to crypto executive
The chief marketing officer of Tonso, “Wal,” noted in an X post last Friday that spot Bitcoin ETFs “are back,” asserting that “many institutional investors sold their $BTC in Q4 ‘25 to capture tax losses.”
“Now they are loading up; this is merely the beginning,” Wal stated.
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Despite the crypto markets stumbling as the year drew to a close, US investors invested over $31.77 billion into US crypto ETFs throughout 2025.
US spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted the majority of investor interest, accumulating $21.4 billion in net inflows during 2025, though this represented a decrease from the $35.2 billion in net inflows recorded in 2024.
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