ETF Weekly: Bitcoin and Ether Post Combined Losses of $1.14 Billion

A volatile mid-December stretch saw heavy selling pressure hit bitcoin and ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs), while solana and XRP quietly absorbed steady inflows. The week pointed to a clear rotation rather than a broad retreat from crypto exposure.

Rotation Week: Bitcoin and Ether out, Solana and XRP In

Mid-December delivered a sharp reality check for the ETF market. Large-cap crypto funds faced sustained redemptions, while newer and alternative assets continued to attract fresh capital. By the close of the Dec. 15–19 trading week, the divergence between legacy and emerging crypto ETFs had become unmistakable.

Bitcoin spot ETFs ended the week with a net outflow of $497.05 million, weighed down primarily by persistent selling in Fidelity’s FBTC. The fund absorbed the bulk of weekly pressure, with significant exits spread across multiple sessions that overwhelmed intermittent inflows.

Blackrock’s IBIT oscillated throughout the week, posting strong inflows midweek but ultimately closing negative as redemptions resurfaced toward the end. Ark & 21Shares’ ARKB and Bitwise’s BITB both trended lower on the week, each seeing consistent but smaller daily outflows. Grayscale’s GBTC and its Bitcoin Mini Trust also remained under pressure, contributing to the broader weekly drawdown despite occasional stabilization attempts.

Ether spot ETFs experienced the most pronounced weakness, recording a $643.97 million net outflow for the week. Blackrock’s ETHA was the central driver of the decline, accounting for the majority of redemptions across multiple sessions. Grayscale’s ETHE and Ether Mini Trust added to the downside with steady exits, while Fidelity’s FETH and Bitwise’s ETHW also closed the week in negative territory. Even brief inflow days failed to alter the trajectory, marking one of Ether ETFs’ heaviest weekly drawdowns on record.

Solana spot ETFs stood out as a bright spot, posting a $66.55 million net inflow for the week. Fidelity’s FSOL led the charge, consistently pulling in capital across several sessions. Bitwise’s BSOL followed closely behind, while Grayscale’s GSOL and Vaneck’s VSOL added incremental inflows that compounded steadily over the week. Despite broader market volatility, Solana ETFs showed resilience and growing investor confidence.

Read more: ETF Weekly Recap: Bitcoin and Ether Rebound, Solana and XRP Extend Inflow Streaks

XRP spot ETFs extended their positive streak, recording a $82.04 million net inflow. Franklin’s XRPZ and 21Shares’ TOXR captured the bulk of new allocations, while Grayscale’s GXRP and Bitwise’s XRP added steady support. The week reinforced XRP’s role as a favored rotation asset during periods of large-cap ETF weakness.

In sum, the Dec. 15–19 period highlighted a decisive shift in investor positioning. While bitcoin and ether faced sustained selling pressure, capital continued to rotate toward solana and XRP, signaling selective conviction rather than a wholesale retreat from the crypto ETF market.

FAQ 💡

• Why did bitcoin and ether ETFs see outflows in mid-December?

Selling pressure concentrated in large-cap ETFs drove redemptions during the Dec. 15–19 trading week.

• Which crypto ETFs recorded inflows during the same period?

Solana and XRP spot ETFs attracted steady inflows as investors rotated exposure.

• Does this ETF activity signal investors exiting crypto altogether?

No, the data points to rotation within crypto ETFs rather than a broad exit from the market.

• What does the rotation toward solana and XRP suggest?

Investors showed selective conviction by reallocating capital into alternative crypto assets.