Bitcoin ETFs Bleed $4.5 Billion in 2026 So Far – Will the Outflows Continue?

US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are experiencing their most sustained period of institutional friction this year, logging six consecutive weeks of outflows amid macroeconomic uncertainty that favors traditional safe havens.

Since the start of 2026, these funds have collectively bled nearly $4.5 billion, with the majority of this loss occurring over the last five weeks, coinciding with Bitcoin's recent price struggles. Major players like BlackRock's IBIT and Fidelity's FBTC have led this exodus. This trend reflects a broader de-risking among Wall Street allocators due to US macro policies, causing a rotation into assets like gold and silver, which have seen significant inflows.

Despite the recent negative trend, analysts suggest the structural footprint of Bitcoin ETFs remains strong. Eric Balchunas of Bloomberg noted that the cumulative net inflows since launch still stand at $53 billion, significantly exceeding initial projections of $5 billion to $15 billion for the first year, suggesting a historically bullish long-term context.

(Source：BeInCrypto)