Українська
Русский
English
Bitcoin ETFs Lose $2.5 Billion Year-to-Date: Fifth Consecutive Weekly Outflow for the First Time Since March 2025
U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $133.3 million in outflows on Wednesday, February 18, bringing the weekly total to negative $238 million. Unless Thursday and Friday reverse the trend, funds will post their first five-week streak of outflows since March 2025.
The largest withdrawal came from BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which saw more than $84 million in outflows. Trading volume remained below $3 billion, signaling continued market passivity. Since the beginning of the year, cumulative outflows from Bitcoin ETFs have reached $2.5 billion, with total assets under management declining to $83.6 billion.
Ethereum and XRP in the Red, Solana Holds Steady
Ethereum ETFs recorded $41.8 million in outflows the same day, while XRP funds saw $2.2 million in withdrawals.
In contrast, Solana ETFs have posted inflows for six consecutive trading sessions, with cumulative year-to-date inflows reaching approximately $113 million. However, February momentum has weakened significantly: monthly inflows stand at just $9 million compared to $105 million in January and $148 million in December 2025.
Since their launch in 2025, U.S. spot Solana ETFs have accumulated nearly $700 million in assets under management. By comparison, XRP funds launched in November have already surpassed the $1 billion mark.
“Extreme Fear” and Potential Generational Buy Levels
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index remains in the “extreme fear” zone, even after Bitcoin partially recovered from its February low of around $60,000.
Analysts at Standard Chartered suggest further downside toward $50,000 before Bitcoin potentially recovers to $100,000 during 2026.
Meanwhile, CryptoQuant reports that Bitcoin’s short-term Sharpe ratio has reached levels that historically preceded sharp rallies to new highs. CryptoQuant analyst Ignacio Moreno De Vicente stated on X that each previous similar extreme reading was followed by a significant upward move.
Thus, the Bitcoin ETF market continues to face pressure amid negative sentiment, while Solana funds remain an exception to the broader trend. Capital flow data at the end of the week will be key in assessing the next phase of market dynamics.
AI View
From a machine-based analysis of historical patterns, the current Bitcoin ETF outflows appear alarming only at first glance. The $2.5 billion year-to-date withdrawal represents roughly 3% of the total $83.6 billion in assets under management — closer to statistical noise than a structural crisis in traditional ETF market terms.
For comparison, $4.57 billion exited Bitcoin ETFs in November–December 2025, yet the market absorbed it without irreversible consequences.
The divergence in Solana ETFs adds important context: sustained inflows amid broader outflows may indicate not a flight of institutional capital from crypto, but rather internal capital rotation within the sector.
Viewed through this lens, the key question shifts from “When will Bitcoin ETF outflows end?” to “Where exactly is capital flowing, and what does that reveal about long-term institutional preferences?”
See also: "$40 Billion Asset Manager Brevan Howard Announces Major Sale of Bitcoin (BTC) Holdings"
