US spot Bitcoin ETFs five weeks of outflows hit $3.8B as investors de-risk
US spot Bitcoin ETFs have recorded five consecutive weeks of net outflows, with investors withdrawing approximately $3.8 billion during this period. The sustained outflows reflect cautious market sentiment, as uncertainty around price movements continues to weigh on investor confidence. Overall, the trend highlights a risk-off approach among market participants despite ongoing interest in crypto-based investment products.
Last week alone saw net outflows of around $315.9 million, even though some individual trading sessions posted inflows. This mixed activity suggests short-term buying interest remains, but it has not been strong enough to offset broader selling pressure. Investors appear hesitant, waiting for clearer market signals before committing fresh capital.
What the latest weekly flow data shows
US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded ~$315.9 million in net outflows last week, per SoSoValue data cited in Cointelegraph’s reporting. The week included a positive session—about $88 million of inflows on Friday but earlier, larger redemption days left the week net negative.
Within the broader five-week stretch, the biggest weekly outflow was about $1.49 billion in the week ending Jan. 30.
Why institutions may be pulling back
Kronos Research CIO Vincent Liu attributed the withdrawals to portfolio de-risking amid rising geopolitical tensions and macro uncertainty, rather than a collapse in long-term interest. He added that flows could remain choppy and sensitive to macro headlines, including upcoming US labor-market data that can influence rate-cut expectations.
Broader market volatility has also been a feature of early 2026 trading, with Reuters reporting sharp crypto price swings alongside risk-asset moves.
US spot Bitcoin ETFs five weeks of outflows and the bigger picture
Despite the redemptions, cumulative flows since launch remain positive: as of Friday, spot Bitcoin ETFs had accumulated about $54.01 billion in net inflows, with ~$85.31 billion in total net assets around 6.3% of Bitcoin’s market capitalization (as cited in the report).
MarketWatch also pointed to notable ETF volatility and significant single-day moves in large products during recent selloffs.
Spot Ether ETFs are also seeing net outflows
US spot Ether ETFs have likewise experienced five weeks of net outflows, with ~$123.4 million leaving last week, according to the same dataset referenced in the report. Several days did see inflows (including ~$48.6 million on Feb. 17 and ~$10.3 million on Feb. 13), but heavier selling outweighed them.
Sentiment check: “Extreme fear” readings
Crypto sentiment indicators referenced in the reporting (e.g., “Fear & Greed” style gauges) have recently signaled extreme fear levels, a backdrop that can amplify flow volatility.
Concluding Remarks
The five-week run of Bitcoin ETF withdrawals highlights how quickly institutional positioning can shift in a macro-driven, risk-sensitive environment. Even so, cumulative net inflows since launch remain substantial, suggesting the current moves may reflect tactical de-risking more than a wholesale exit from crypto exposure.
FAQs
Q : What does “net outflows” mean for spot Bitcoin ETFs?
A : Net outflows mean that redemptions (money leaving the ETFs) were greater than creations (money entering) during the measured period.
Q : How big were the withdrawals during the five-week streak?
A : Around $3.8 billion was withdrawn over five consecutive weeks, including approximately $315.9 million in outflows last week alone.
Q : What was the largest weekly outflow in this period?
A : The biggest weekly outflow was roughly $1.49 billion, recorded in the week ending Jan. 30, according to the cited data.
Q : Why are institutions selling now?
A : The report suggests institutions are de-risking due to macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, rather than making a long-term exit from Bitcoin exposure.
Q : Are US spot Bitcoin ETFs’ five weeks of outflows wiping out all gains since launch?
A : No. Cumulative net inflows since launch remain about $54.01 billion, with total net assets close to $85.31 billion.
Q : Are Ether ETFs seeing the same trend?
A : Yes. Spot Ether ETFs have also experienced five weeks of net outflows, including around $123.4 million withdrawn last week.
Facts
Event
US spot Bitcoin ETFs extend a five-week streak of net withdrawalsDate/Time
2026-02-21 (+05:00) (date referenced for publication cycle; exact publish time not stated in the provided text)Entities
US spot Bitcoin ETFs; Bitcoin (BTC); SoSoValue; Kronos Research; Vincent Liu; spot Ether ETFs; Ether (ETH)Figures
$3.8B (five-week net outflows); $315.9M (last week net outflows); $1.49B (largest weekly outflow, week ending Jan. 30); $88M (Friday inflows); $54.01B (net inflows since launch); $85.31B (total net assets); ~6.3% (BTC market cap share)Quotes
“Market inflows will be dependent on macro events like incoming Thursday’s initial jobless claims…” Vincent Liu, CIO, Kronos ResearchSources
Cointelegraph via TradingView; Reuters; MarketWatch; Alternative.me