Bitcoin and Ether ETFs Rebound in Early 2026 as XRP and Solana Maintain Momentum

Bitcoin and Ether ETFs Rebound to Start 2026 Strong

Bitcoin and ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs) began 2026 with strong inflows, signaling renewed investor confidence. U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs recorded $458.77 million in net inflows from December 29 to January 2, 2026, ending a late-December outflow streak. Blackrock's IBIT led with $324.15 million in inflows, showing a clear shift in investor positioning.

Ether ETFs also posted $161 million in net inflows for the same period, marking a tentative stabilization after volatile weeks. Grayscale's ETHE attracted $103.78 million, the largest inflow among ether funds. This suggests that investors are cautiously re-engaging with the market.

XRP and Solana ETFs showed consistent performance in early 2026. XRP ETFs brought in $43.16 million in weekly inflows, with Franklin's XRPZ leading the pack with $21.76 million. Solana ETFs added $10.43 million, indicating stable demand despite lower volumes according to market data.

Why Did This Happen?

The rebound in ETF inflows was driven by investor rotation back into bitcoin and selective exposure to altcoin funds. The shortened holiday trading period did not deter investors from re-entering the market, especially on the bitcoin side. Blackrock's IBIT continued to be a top choice for investors seeking exposure to bitcoin.

Grayscale's GBTC and Bitcoin Mini Trust saw combined outflows of $54.2 million, showing that selling pressure had eased but not fully reversed in legacy products. This suggests that while the market is stabilizing, some investors remain cautious.

Citi Research forecasts a potential rebound for bitcoin in early 2026, with a base case target of $143,000. The firm attributes this to expected ETF inflows of $15 billion and broader institutional adoption. Bitcoin ended 2025 at $88,242, down 6% for the year.

How Did Markets React?

The market began 2026 with renewed optimism, but analysts remain cautious. Bitcoin ETF inflows provided surface-level support, but onchain indicators showed signs of weakening. The 30-day change in bitcoin's realized capitalization turned negative in late December, signaling a shift in investor behavior.

Ethereum ETFs saw $161 million in net inflows, which analysts view as a sign of stabilization. Ether's price hovered near $3,200, while bitcoin's price ranged between $87,000 and $90,000. Broader altcoin performance remained mixed, reflecting a cautious investor stance according to market analysis.

Investors are shifting capital toward altcoins and high-conviction opportunities. Ethereum led the gains in 2025 with $12.7 billion in inflows, up 138% year-on-year. XRP surged 500% to $3.7 billion, while Solana skyrocketed 1,000% to $3.6 billion.

Bitcoin ETF flows, however, lagged behind, dropping 35% year-on-year to $26.9 billion. Short-bitcoin investment products remained niche, with total assets under management of just $105 million. Despite this, bitcoin's price rebounded from $89,000 to $93,300 over the weekend.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are closely monitoring whether Bitcoin can maintain its early 2026 momentum. While the price has rebounded, historical patterns show that weekend surges often fade on Monday trading. On-chain data suggests a large whale accumulation phase is underway, which could support bitcoin's price in the coming months.

Ethereum's technical structure appears strong, with traders targeting $3,250 as an initial objective before potentially reaching $3,450. The market is in transition, with investors shifting capital toward select altcoins and high-conviction opportunities according to market analysis.

BlackRock's recent transfer of over $120 million in Bitcoin and Ethereum to Coinbase Prime has raised questions about the firm's stance on digital assets. The move coincided with a wave of outflows from crypto ETFs at the end of 2025, and analysts warn that continued outflows could push Bitcoin below $90,000.

Crypto ETFs are expected to play a key role in shaping the market in 2026. The year 2025 saw $47.2 billion in inflows, narrowly missing the 2024 record. XRP ETFs extended their inflow streak to 30 consecutive days, while Ethereum ETFs also reversed course with $67.8 million in net inflows.

Market observers remain cautious as BlackRock's silence on its motives continues to fuel speculation. Whether this is a warning shot or a strategic realignment, the move is likely to ripple across the entire crypto ecosystem.

The success of 2026 will depend on maintaining support levels at $1.80 for XRP and improving network activity. ETF investment inflows and regulatory clarity are also expected to play a role in determining the market's direction.