Crypto Funds Log $117.8M Inflows as Bitcoin ETFs Surge (BTC)

Lawrence Jengar May 05, 2026 13:34

Crypto investment products see $117.8M inflows, Bitcoin ETFs lead with $532M in single-day gains, sustaining institutional momentum.

Crypto Funds Log $117.8M Inflows as Bitcoin ETFs Surge (BTC)

Digital asset investment products brought in $117.8 million in inflows last week, marking a fifth consecutive week of net gains, according to a report by CoinShares. Despite $619 million in mid-week outflows, a $737 million surge on Friday reversed the trend, highlighting renewed risk appetite among institutional investors.

This ongoing streak—now totaling $4.02 billion—has become 2026’s largest inflow run, surpassing March's $2.9 billion peak. Bitcoin (BTC) remains the primary beneficiary, attracting $192.1 million last week. However, this figure was notably below the weekly average of nearly $1 billion recorded over the previous three weeks. Meanwhile, Ethereum (ETH) reversed its recent positive momentum, posting $81.6 million in outflows after three consecutive weeks of gains exceeding $190 million each.

Bitcoin ETFs Set the Tone

U.S.-based Bitcoin ETFs played a central role in driving the market, with a standout $532.21 million inflow on Monday. BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led with $335.49 million, while Fidelity's FBTC added $184.57 million. These inflows coincided with Bitcoin reclaiming the $80,000 level for the first time since January, bolstered by improving sentiment following the April 8 U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement.

April had already been a strong month for Bitcoin ETFs, with $1.97 billion in inflows, the best monthly performance for the asset class this year. Institutional demand has been a key driver, with U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs managing $102 billion in assets as of April’s end. Analysts suggest sustained inflows and declining exchange supply could provide the foundation for Bitcoin to test new highs beyond $80,000 in the near term.

Regional Performance and Broader Trends

Regionally, the U.S. recorded $47.5 million in inflows last week, a sharp drop from $1.1 billion in the previous week. Germany followed with $43.8 million, and Canada added $16 million. The Friday recovery appears to have been driven primarily by North American and European investors, as Asia and other regions saw limited participation.

Despite Bitcoin's dominance, the market showed narrowing participation. CoinShares noted that only four digital assets saw inflows last week, compared to nine in prior weeks. This reflects a more cautious sentiment during the Monday-to-Thursday selloff before risk appetite rebounded on Friday.

Ethereum and Altcoins Struggle

Ethereum’s $81.6 million in outflows underscores the shift in focus away from altcoins, which had performed well in April. Ethereum ETFs had seen their first positive month since October 2025, with $355.98 million in inflows last month. However, ETH's outlook may now hinge on whether it can regain its recent momentum amid Bitcoin’s dominance.

Other altcoins like XRP, which saw $81.6 million in April inflows, remained muted last week, signaling that institutional capital is consolidating around Bitcoin as the asset of choice.

What Traders Should Watch

With Bitcoin trading at $78,137.50 as of May 5 (+0.96% in 24 hours), the market is keeping a close eye on whether BTC can sustain enough momentum to break decisively above $80,000. Institutional flows into Bitcoin ETFs are likely to remain a critical indicator of market sentiment. Meanwhile, Ethereum and other altcoins could struggle to regain traction unless broader risk appetite improves.

For now, the five-week inflow streak affirms institutional confidence in digital assets, even amid sporadic selloffs. Traders should monitor upcoming ETF flow data and macro developments for clues on whether the market’s bullish trajectory can continue.

Image source: Shutterstock