Bitcoin ETFs Outperform Ethereum as Institutional Appetite Shifts to Digital Safe Haven

Bitcoin ETF inflows surged to a three-month high of $364.3 million on September 8, 2025, indicating a strong institutional appetite for the cryptocurrency amid evolving macroeconomic conditions. Fidelity’s FBTC led the inflows with $156.5 million, accounting for approximately 43% of the day’s total inflows, followed by Ark Invest’s ARKB with $89.5 million and BitBull’s BITB with $42.7 million [1]. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) added $25.5 million, while Grayscale’s GBTC saw a modest inflow of $4.4 million, signaling a continued shift toward more cost-efficient and flexible ETF offerings [2]. This robust inflow was in stark contrast to the $787.6 million in outflows recorded by Ethereum ETFs over the same week, with BlackRock’s ETHA and Fidelity’s FETH leading the redemptions [3].

The inflows into Bitcoin ETFs highlight the asset’s growing role as a macroeconomic hedge and institutional investment vehicle. Over the past two weeks, ETFs have absorbed billions of dollars in net inflows, countering short-term volatility and stabilizing price action as whales offloaded large amounts of Bitcoin. Institutional investors have increasingly favored regulated ETFs, which offer a secure and accessible entry point into Bitcoin compared to direct ownership [1]. This dynamic has led to a structural shift in market behavior, with ETF inflows increasingly influencing Bitcoin’s price trajectory.

Corporate treasury moves have further reinforced Bitcoin’s appeal. Figma, for instance, allocated $91 million, or 5.7% of its treasury, into Bitcoin ETFs following its July IPO [2]. While the move led to a short-term stock sell-off, it demonstrated a growing institutional willingness to integrate Bitcoin into traditional investment frameworks. Meanwhile, MicroStrategy’s continued accumulation of Bitcoin—adding 1,955 BTC in a single week—underscored the role of corporate treasuries in reshaping Bitcoin’s supply dynamics. These purchases have absorbed nearly two-thirds of new Bitcoin emissions, highlighting a shift in supply flow that favors institutional players [1].

Macro factors, particularly the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy outlook, have also shaped investor behavior. Weak August jobs data, which added only 22,000 new jobs, fueled expectations for three Fed rate cuts in 2025, with some markets pricing in a larger cut near 12%. The dovish bias has driven capital toward Bitcoin as an inflation hedge, with some analysts suggesting the asset could reach $200,000 if monetary policy eases aggressively [1]. The upcoming release of CPI and PPI data in the coming week will be critical in determining the trajectory of ETF inflows and Bitcoin’s price action.

Technical indicators suggest a cautious near-term outlook. Bitcoin traded near $112,200 as of September 6, supported by ETF inflows and institutional demand. The price holds above the 200-day EMA but remains below the 50-day EMA, with $107,500 serving as the first support level and $100,000 as a key psychological floor [2]. A breakout above $115,000 could trigger a retest of the previous high of $123,731. However, renewed outflows or hawkish Fed signals could test the resilience of ETF-driven demand and lead to a decline toward $100,000 [2].

The broader market environment remains mixed. While Bitcoin ETFs continue to attract capital, Ethereum’s institutional struggles underscore diverging investor sentiment. Ethereum’s price, which hovered around $4,300, underperformed Bitcoin’s modest gains, with ETF redemptions reflecting a preference for Bitcoin as a safer digital asset [3]. This divergence highlights Bitcoin’s evolving role as the digital safe haven, with ETFs acting as a key liquidity driver. The competitive landscape is also evolving, with 92 crypto ETF applications pending before the SEC, creating a crowded backdrop for Bitcoin’s dominance [2].

Source: [1] title1 (url1) [2] title2 (url2) [3] title3 (url3)