Solana News Today: Institutional Investors Redirect $2T to Altcoins as Bitcoin ETFs Near $36B Record

Bitcoin ETF inflows remain a dominant force in the cryptocurrency market, with Q4 2025 projected to exceed $36 billion in net inflows, according to Bitwise Asset Management. This surge is driven by institutional adoption, macroeconomic factors, and Bitcoin's price momentum. Despite this, altcoins like XRP and Solana (SOL) are showing resilience amid market fluctuations, drawing attention from investors seeking diversified exposure.

Bitcoin's ETF inflows have surged to $25.9 billion year-to-date, with $3.5 billion added in the first four trading days of Q4 alone Bitwise Asset Management^[1]. Major wealth managers, including Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo, have expanded access to crypto allocations for their advisers, unlocking $2 trillion in assets under management The Bit Journal^[2]. The "debasement trade," which favors assets like gold and Bitcoin amid currency dilution, has gained traction as U.S. money supply expanded 44% since 2020 Bitwise Asset Management^[1].

However, altcoin markets are experiencing mixed signals. XRP and Solana have defied broader market pressures, with XRP's crypto ETP inflows reaching $1.9 billion in 2025 and Solana securing $2.7 billion The Bit Journal^[2]. XRP recently faced a short-term pullback, trading near $2.78 as institutional selling and leverage risks pressured the market. Analysts note that $2.78 is a critical support level; a break could push prices toward $2.72 The Bit Journal^[2]. Meanwhile, Solana's price stabilized around $225.26 in October, supported by Ethereum Foundation-backed privacy research and growing institutional interest The Bit Journal^[2].

Institutional adoption of altcoin derivatives is also accelerating. Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) futures for XRP and Solana have seen rapid open interest growth, with Solana futures crossing $1 billion in notional value in five months-faster than ether and bitcoin . XRP futures reached the same milestone in three months, highlighting their appeal to institutional investors .

Privacy coins are emerging as a new sector of interest. Zcash (ZEC) surged 80% in a week, while Monero (XMR) rose to $334.89. Analysts attribute this to increased demand for privacy-focused assets amid broader ETF-driven market stability The Bit Journal^[2].

Bitcoin's dominance in ETF inflows has slightly waned, with its market share of crypto ETPs dropping from 86% in 2024 to 62% in 2025. This shift reflects growing institutional interest in altcoins like Ethereum, Solana, and XRP The Bit Journal^[2].

Looking ahead, Bitwise projects that 2025 inflows will surpass the $36 billion record set in 2024, driven by ongoing institutional onboarding and macroeconomic tailwinds Bitwise Asset Management^[1]. Morgan Stanley's recent policy change, allowing advisers to allocate up to 4% of client portfolios to crypto, is expected to catalyze further inflows Coindesk^[4].