U.S. Spot Cryptocurrency ETF Inflows Reach $670 Million on First Day, Institutions Rush to Position
On the first trading day of 2026, U.S. spot crypto ETFs recorded a net inflow of $669 million, marking a strong start. Among them, Bitcoin ETFs saw inflows of $471 million, with BlackRock IBIT contributing $287 million and Fidelity FBTC contributing $88 million. Ethereum ETFs attracted $174 million, XRP saw inflows of $13.59 million, Solana $8.53 million, and Dogecoin $2.3 million.
This wave of inflows came quite timely. By the end of 2025, crypto ETFs experienced continuous outflows. Many were worried about waning institutional interest, but the data on the first day of the new year dispelled these concerns. Institutional investors demonstrated strong buying intent at the start of 2026.
Looking at the details, BlackRock continues to play a leading role. The $287 million inflow into IBIT accounted for 61% of the total Bitcoin ETF inflows. The ongoing accumulation by this global asset management giant injects strong confidence into the market. Notably, the $174 million inflow into Ethereum ETFs is also impressive, indicating that institutions are not only optimistic about Bitcoin but are also diversifying across the entire crypto ecosystem.
This inflow pattern is likely a reallocation after redemption at the end of 2025. They use year-end rebalancing to reduce positions, then rebuild positions at the start of the new year. This operational approach shows that institutions are optimistic about the crypto market in 2026, and it is expected that this inflow trend will continue, supporting BTC's move toward $100,000.