Spot Bitcoin ETFs post biggest weekly inflows since Jan. 16

U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds took in $996.4 million in net inflows last week, the biggest weekly total since the week ended Jan. 16. Over the past three weeks, spot Bitcoin ETFs have attracted more than $1.8 billion in net new money.

Data from SoSoValue show the inflows were concentrated in BlackRock’s IBIT, which gathered $906 million. Morgan Stanley’s MSBT, which began trading April 8, logged $71 million in its first full trading week. Spot Ethereum ETFs recorded $275.8 million in weekly net inflows, the strongest single-week figure since mid-January.

The two-week U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement is set to expire Wednesday. There have been reports that U.S. forces seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, and U.S. negotiators are scheduled to travel to Islamabad for possible talks with Iranian officials. Iranian authorities have said they will not join peace talks unless the U.S. lifts a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Jeff Mei, chief operating officer at crypto exchange BTSE, attributed the recent ETF demand to institutional expectations of a lasting de-escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions and said institutions are increasing long positions in Bitcoin ETFs. He added that retail demand is improving and that sustained upward price momentum would likely require additional Federal Reserve rate cuts.

Cryptocurrency prices showed modest movement during the week. Bitcoin traded near $75,000, down about 0.25% over the prior 24 hours, while ether was near $2,301, down roughly 0.6% in the same period. Analysts pointed to both geopolitical developments and expectations for U.S. monetary policy as factors affecting flows into crypto-focused ETFs.

The recent inflows continue a pattern of renewed interest in spot crypto ETFs since their U.S. launches, with large asset managers drawing notable investor capital. Market participants cite institutional allocation decisions, short-term political developments and Fed policy expectations when explaining weekly fund flows.