Bitcoin News Today: Ethereum ETFs Outpace Bitcoin as Investors Bet on Innovation Over Value Storage

Bitcoin and Ether ETFs Saw Big Inflows Tuesday as Investors Bought Dip

Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs) experienced significant inflows in late October 2025, reflecting renewed institutional and retail confidence in crypto markets. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $1.2 billion in net inflows on October 6, marking the largest single-day inflow of the year and the seventh time since January 2025 that inflows exceeded $1 billion. BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led the surge, capturing $969.95 million, or 80% of the total inflows, as investors capitalized on a pullback in Bitcoin's priceBitcoin ETFs Post Biggest Inflow of 2025 as Uptober Heats Up^[3]. This influx followed a broader trend of institutional adoption, with IBIT nearing $100 billion in assets under management (AUM) in just 435 days-far outpacing the 2,011 days it took for the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) to reach the same milestoneU.S. BTC ETFs See $1B Inflows, Seen 6 Times Before and Each^[1].

Ether ETFs, meanwhile, outpaced Bitcoin in the first half of October, drawing $2.39 billion in net inflows over six trading days compared to $827 million for Bitcoin ETFs. BlackRock's iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) dominated the Ether market, attracting $1.79 billion, or 75% of total inflows, to push its AUM past $10 billion in 251 trading days. This marked a rare reversal in the typical hierarchy of ETF inflows, with Ethereum ETFs gaining favor among institutional buyers. Corporate treasuries also contributed to Ether's surge, with firms like BitMine Immersion Technologies purchasing $2 billion worth of ETH in 16 days, tightening supply and potentially supporting price momentum.

The divergent performance of Bitcoin and Ether ETFs underscores shifting investor priorities. While Bitcoin ETFs saw a $131 million outflow on July 22-ending a 12-day streak of inflows-Ethereum ETFs maintained positive flows throughout the same periodEthereum ETFs See $2.4B in Flows vs. $827M For Bitcoin in Six Days^[7]. Analysts attributed Ethereum's strength to its role in decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain innovation, with Ether ETFs outperforming Bitcoin ETFs by 10–15% in year-to-date inflows. BlackRock's ETHA, which accumulated $3.53 billion in 2024, remained the largest Ethereum ETF, holding 1.07 million ETH valued at $3.68 billionBitcoin vs Ethereum ETFs: who leads in 2025 inflows?^[8]. Meanwhile, Bitcoin ETFs held 1.5–2% of the total Bitcoin supply, while Ether ETFs managed 5.3–5.5% of the circulating ETH.

Market dynamics further highlighted Ethereum's institutional appeal. On-chain data showed a rise in long-term holder supply for ETH, signaling accumulation rather than distributionBitcoin Price Can Reach $131K as ETF Inflows, Chart Pattern Align^[2]. Derivatives positioning also favored Ether, with open interest in perpetual futures reaching $40 billion and funding rates skewed toward long positionsBitcoin Price Can Reach $131K as ETF Inflows, Chart Pattern Align^[2]. Citigroup analysts projected a 12-month target of $181,000 for Bitcoin, citing favorable macroeconomic conditions and sustained institutional accumulationBitcoin Price Can Reach $131K as ETF Inflows, Chart Pattern Align^[2]. For Ethereum, Galaxy Digital's Michael Novogratz forecasted a potential rise to $4,000, driven by corporate buying and supply constraints.

The surge in ETF inflows coincided with broader market optimism. Bitcoin's price climbed above $126,000 in October, with technical indicators suggesting a potential test of $131,000 if the $125,000 support level heldBitcoin Price Can Reach $131K as ETF Inflows, Chart Pattern Align^[2]. Ethereum, trading near $4,711, also saw gains, supported by its expanding role in smart contracts and decentralized applications. Analysts noted that ETF-driven liquidity had stabilized Bitcoin's price floor, with institutional buying creating a more resilient market structure compared to retail-driven cyclesBitcoin ETFs See $2.7 Billion Inflows in Just Four Days: Rally^[4]. However, short-term risks remained, including leveraged positions in derivatives markets that could trigger volatility if momentum stalledBitcoin Price Can Reach $131K as ETF Inflows, Chart Pattern Align^[2].

Investors and market participants are closely monitoring the trajectory of ETF flows as a barometer for crypto adoption. The divergence between Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs highlights evolving strategies, with Ethereum emerging as a growth-focused asset while Bitcoin maintains its role as a store of valueEthereum ETFs See $2.4B in Flows vs. $827M For Bitcoin in Six Days^[7]. As 2025 progresses, the interplay between institutional allocations, regulatory developments, and macroeconomic trends will likely shape the next phase of crypto's integration into traditional financeEthereum ETFs See $2.4B in Flows vs. $827M For Bitcoin in Six Days^[7].