Spot Bitcoin ETFs see $457M in inflows as institutions quietly re‑enter the market

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds have logged their strongest single-day inflows in more than a month, signaling that institutional demand is picking back up as macro conditions tilt more favorably toward risk assets. The move is already in focus across crypto news channels and the crypto pur community, which closely tracks how traditional capital allocators are using blockchain technology–linked products to express macro views.

$457M rush into spot Bitcoin ETFs

On Wednesday, US spot Bitcoin ETFs drew about $457 million in net inflows, the highest daily intake since mid‑November. Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC)  led the charge, pulling in roughly $391 million and accounting for the lion’s share of the day’s net flows. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT)  followed with around $111 million in fresh capital.

Not all funds participated in the rebound. Bitwise’s BITB  saw approximately $8.4 million in outflows, while ARK 21Shares’ ARKB  recorded around $37 million in redemptions, and Hashdex’s DEFI posted about $1.5 million in net outflows. Even so, total cumulative net inflows across US spot Bitcoin ETFs have now surpassed $57 billion, with combined net assets above $112 billion, equivalent to roughly 6.5% of Bitcoin’s total market capitalization.

The last time daily inflows topped $450 million was November 11, when spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted around $524 million in a single session. The latest spike follows a choppy period in late November and early December marked by alternating modest inflows and sharp outflows, suggesting a possible shift back toward accumulation.

Early macro positioning, not late-cycle euphoria

Vincent Liu, chief investment officer at trading firm Kronos Research, framed the renewed ETF demand as early macro positioning rather than end‑of‑cycle FOMO. From his perspective, as expectations for lower interest rates solidify, Bitcoin once again becomes a “clean liquidity trade,” a straightforward way to express a bullish view on easier monetary policy and expanding money supply.

Liu expects the positive momentum in ETF flows to persist, but warns it will likely be uneven. He argues that flows will track broader liquidity conditions and price action: as long as Bitcoin remains a clear macro expression of lower rates and looser financial conditions, ETFs will remain a preferred vehicle for institutions looking to scale exposure quickly and efficiently.

Adding to the macro backdrop, US President Donald Trump recently stated that he intends to appoint a new Federal Reserve chair early next year who strongly favors cutting interest rates “by a lot.” All named finalists reportedly support lower rates than current levels. Historically, such dovish shifts are considered bullish for risk assets, including crypto, because they reduce funding costs and encourage investors to move further out on the risk curve.

A top-heavy Bitcoin market with 6.7M BTC at a loss

Despite the encouraging ETF flows, onchain metrics show that Bitcoin’s market structure remains fragile. Prices have slipped back to levels last seen nearly a year ago, leaving behind a dense “supply overhang” between about $93,000 and $120,000 zones where many investors bought and are now sitting on unrealized losses.

Onchain analytics firm Glassnode estimates that approximately 6.7 million BTC are currently held at a loss, the highest level of the present cycle. This top‑heavy configuration means any attempt at recovery runs into significant selling pressure from holders looking to break even, capping rallies before they can gain sustained traction.

Glassnode’s latest report describes demand as fragile across both spot and derivatives:

• Spot buying bursts have been brief and highly selective.
• Corporate treasury inflows have turned episodic rather than steady.
• Futures markets are de‑risking, with positioning more focused on reducing exposure than building aggressive long conviction.

Until sellers are absorbed above roughly $95,000 or a new wave of liquidity and buyers enter the market, Bitcoin is likely to remain range‑bound between that overhead resistance band and structural support near $81,000.

What this means for crypto news, blockchain technology, and crypto pur investors

For crypto pur participants and those following daily crypto news, the latest data sends a nuanced signal:

• Positive: Large, regulated spot ETFs are once again absorbing significant BTC, indicating that institutional allocators still see value in using these products as macro tools.
• Cautious: Onchain signs of stress and a top‑heavy holder base suggest that, even with ETF inflows, Bitcoin may need time and additional capital to break cleanly above the thick resistance zone.

From a broader blockchain technology perspective, the fact that such a meaningful slice of Bitcoin’s market cap is now wrapped in ETF structures shows how deeply crypto has been woven into traditional financial plumbing. The next phase for this cycle likely hinges on whether improving macro expectations and continued ETF demand can overcome the lingering drag from underwater holders and fragile spot demand.