Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) attracted massive amounts of capital this week, as investors rushed to buy crypto assets.
In brief:
- Bitcoin hit an all-time high this week, while Ethereum surged earlier in May.
- The rise in BTC price is accompanied by increased demand for ETF shares.
- Ethereum ETFs are also seeing inflows, although not as intense as Bitcoin funds.
Record Investments in Bitcoin ETFs
On Thursday, Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs registered over $1 billion in new investments—the highest combined inflow in five months. This highlights the growing appetite for crypto-focused products over the past two weeks.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) accounted for the largest share, recording $877 million in net inflows—the fund’s third-highest daily result, according to U.K.-based asset manager Farside Investors. In total, Bitcoin ETFs brought in $935 million.
This is a continuation of the momentum we’ve seen, especially with IBIT, which hasn’t had any outflows since April 9—the day Bitcoin hit its recent low.
said Sumit Roy, senior ETF analyst at ETF.com.
The fact that Bitcoin is setting new records certainly helps. There is a strong relationship between flows and price, and I expect that to continue.
Bitcoin’s price has risen more than 48% since falling below $75,000 in early April. Much of these gains came after U.S. President Donald Trump eased trade tensions and recent inflation reports came in better than expected.
Moreover, investors are increasingly viewing BTC as a safe-haven asset amid ongoing macroeconomic volatility.
IBIT has received over $1.9 billion in assets just in the first four days of this week. It’s the third time in the past month that the fund has exceeded $1 billion in a single week.
During the weeks of April 28 and May 5, it attracted $2.4 billion and around $1 billion, respectively. Since its launch in January 2024, the fund has accumulated nearly $41 billion in net inflows—more than four times the amount of the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Trust (FBTC), which ranks second.
This week, Bitcoin broke a new record, reaching a price of $111,814, according to data from CoinGecko.
Ethereum ETFs
Ethereum ETFs brought in over $110 million in inflows on Thursday alone, led by the Grayscale Ethereum Trust (ETHE) and Fidelity Ethereum Trust (FETH), each attracting more than $40 million.
Ethereum’s price growth, which had lagged behind Bitcoin and other coins, has outpaced them over the past month. ETH was recently trading at $2,565, down 3.5% from the same time on Thursday, but up more than 46% over the past 30 days.
BlackRock Dominates the Crypto ETF Market
BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) has received over $4.3 billion in net inflows—more than twice the investment of its closest competitor in the space.
The eight currently trading Ethereum ETFs have generated more than $2.7 billion in net inflows, while Grayscale’s ETHE has reported nearly $4.3 billion in net outflows due to its conversion from a closed-end trust and its higher fees compared to other ETFs in the category.
Ethereum ETFs aren’t knocking it out of the park, but they’re not doing badly either.
said Bloomberg ETF research analyst James Seyffart.
Flows are actually strong, but the underlying price is dragging asset levels down.
Conclusion:
Interest in crypto ETFs is soaring, driven by Bitcoin’s record-breaking prices and Ethereum’s steady recovery. Institutional investors are increasingly turning to regulated products like ETFs for safer crypto exposure.
While BlackRock cements its dominance, competition remains active—especially in the Ethereum segment. Time will tell whether this upward trend continues or the market enters a correction phase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions below.
A cryptocurrency ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is a regulated investment product that tracks the price of a digital asset like Bitcoin or Ethereum and trades on traditional stock exchanges.
Investors prefer ETFs for crypto exposure because they offer regulated access, institutional-grade custody, and eliminate the need to directly store cryptocurrencies.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) is currently leading with over $41 billion in net inflows since its launch, followed by Fidelity’s FBTC.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or investment advice. Crypto-assets are highly volatile, so only invest funds you are willing to lose and use your own research and risk management.
