Bitcoin ETFs saw $131 million in outflows, ending a 12-day inflow streak.
Ethereum ETFs gained $297 million, driven by staking yield and regulatory momentum.
Portfolio rotation signals growing institutional preference for Ethereum over Bitcoin.
Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw net outflows of $131.35 million on 21 July, marking the end of a 12-day inflow streak and highlighting a shift in investor appetite.
On the same day, Ethereum ETFs attracted $296.59 million in net inflows, extending their own 12-day run and underscoring a broader rebalancing trend in crypto portfolios.
This divergence in flows between the two largest cryptocurrencies comes amid growing institutional interest in Ethereum products, bolstered by evolving regulation and staking-related yield opportunities.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s recent price consolidation has prompted profit-taking and portfolio adjustments by funds nearing quarter-end reporting cycles.
Bitcoin ETF holdings fall as inflow streak halts
Following robust gains earlier this month, Bitcoin ETFs began to experience investor outflows for the first time since early July.
Data from SoSoValue showed a net outflow of $131.35 million on 21 July, ending a sustained period of $6.6 billion in cumulative net inflows.
Despite strong trading activity—$4.1 billion in daily volume—major ETFs like BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC either posted flat flows or registered minor losses.
IBIT, the largest in the segment with a net asset value (NAV) of $86.16 billion, recorded no new net inflows.
Ark Invest’s ARKB and Grayscale’s GBTC were more impacted, seeing outflows of $77.46 million and $36.75 million, respectively.
The combined assets across all US Bitcoin spot ETFs now stand at $151.6 billion, which accounts for 6.52% of Bitcoin’s total market capitalisation.
The recent downturn suggests that some institutions may be rebalancing holdings or diversifying into other crypto assets.
Ethereum ETF net assets rise to $19.6 billion
In contrast to Bitcoin, Ethereum ETFs recorded their twelfth consecutive day of net inflows on 21 July, led by heavy activity in newly launched and established funds alike.
BlackRock’s ETHA pulled in $101.98 million, while Fidelity’s FETH attracted $126.93 million.
FETH’s NAV has now reached $2.08 billion, while ETHA has posted more than $8.16 billion in total cumulative inflows.
Grayscale’s Ethereum funds saw mixed results.
While one recorded a small outflow, the other posted an inflow of $54.90 million. VanEck and Franklin Templeton also reported new capital entering their Ethereum-based products.
Combined, all Ethereum ETFs now manage $19.6 billion in net assets, representing 4.32% of Ethereum’s total market cap.
Daily trading volumes across ETH ETFs stood at $3.21 billion.
Staked Ether and pending legislation boost ETH demand
Several market analysts attribute Ethereum’s continued inflow momentum to the inclusion of staked Ether in ETF offerings, a feature not available in Bitcoin products.
This allows investors to earn yield while gaining exposure to price action, a model that appears to be resonating with institutional asset managers.
Momentum surrounding the GENIUS and CLARITY Acts in the US Congress has helped bolster Ethereum’s regulatory narrative.
The proposed laws, which are advancing toward a final vote, could enable traditional financial institutions to integrate Ethereum-backed products more easily, supporting their inclusion in diversified portfolios.
The combination of staking yield, regulatory clarity, and consistent inflows has shifted market sentiment in favour of Ethereum—at least in the short term.
The widening gap in ETF flows also reflects a growing divergence in how investors view the strategic role of each asset.
Portfolio rotation points to broader crypto strategy shift
The difference in ETF flows may signal the start of a new allocation trend within institutional crypto investment.
With Bitcoin ETFs showing signs of saturation after their recent rally, and Ethereum ETFs offering yield through staking, portfolio managers appear to be rotating capital based on utility, structure, and evolving regulation.
This shift comes at a time when both asset classes remain under close watch from US regulators and global financial markets.
While short-term fluctuations are common, the data from 21 July suggest that Ethereum is becoming more than just a secondary crypto asset—it is emerging as a standalone category within institutional investment strategies.
