- Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs saw over $795 million in outflows last week as institutions reduce exposure amid shifting market sentiment.
- Bitcoin ETF holdings dropped below 1.12 million BTC for the first time in four months, signaling a clear decline in institutional demand.
- Gold ETFs gained nearly $410 million in inflows led by China as investors seek safety from crypto volatility and geopolitical uncertainty.
According to Wu Blockchain, during the trading week of April 7–11, institutional outflows hit the crypto ETF. Bitcoin spot ETFs saw $713 million in net outflows. BlackRock’s IBIT led the exodus with $343 million pulled. At the same time, Ethereum spot ETFs witnessed a $82.47 million total net outflow.
Fidelity’s FETH accounted for over half, shedding $45.04 million. These numbers highlight a clear decline in institutional demand. CryptoQuant data further confirms that Bitcoin spot ETF holdings dropped to 1,115,681 BTC by April. This marked the lowest level in over four months. Hence, the once bullish momentum is now facing serious headwinds.
Institutional Appetite for Bitcoin Is Cooling Off
Besides the weekly outflows, ETF data from CryptoQuant shows a steady drop in Bitcoin holdings since March 2025. Holdings peaked at 1.2 million BTC late last year. However, they now hover just below the lower threshold of 1,116,067 BTC. The recent alert triggered reflects a breach of that lower bound. Consequently, this signals that institutions may be selling off to take profits or mitigate risk. Moreover, the decline occurred despite consistent trading volumes. That further suggests a gradual repositioning by key market players.
Additionally, weekend pauses in ETF trading did not prevent this downward trend. All chart data includes only weekday sessions, showing a continuous institutional sell-off. The recent drop erased over four months of accumulation. Hence, the ETF landscape reflects a change in sentiment. Investors are likely responding to broader market uncertainties and macroeconomic triggers.
Gold ETFs Shine Amid Crypto Cooldown
Meanwhile, gold ETFs are experiencing renewed interest. Chinese gold ETFs logged nearly $410 million in inflows last week alone. This move reflects rising geopolitical tensions and a shift to safer assets. ING analysts noted a sharp inflow into China’s top four gold ETFs. Besides, Comex futures data shows a third consecutive week of declining long positions. Net longs dropped by 38,088 lots as of April 8. That marked the steepest fall since October 2023.
Some of the gold selling could link to margin calls from other volatile assets. As crypto ETFs cool off, traditional safe-haven assets like gold are regaining appeal. Hence, the ETF market is clearly signaling a changing tide in investor sentiment.
