Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin ETFs Face $60.4M Outflow as Altcoin Capital Flows Surge

Bitcoin spot ETFs saw a net outflow of $60.4 million on December 9, 2025, marking continued pressure on institutional capital in the crypto market. In contrast, Ethereum spot ETFs recorded a net inflow of $35.5 million, signaling a shift in investor preference toward altcoins amid Bitcoin's recent turbulence. The divergent flows reflect broader market dynamics, as Bitcoin ETFs like BlackRock's IBIT continue to experience multi-week outflow streaks, while Ethereum and other crypto products show resilience.

BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has seen over $2.7 billion in outflows since mid-October, driven by a concentrated unwind of arbitrage trades rather than broad-based panic. The ETF's recent struggles stand in contrast to the robust inflows seen in the first half of the year, when it attracted billions in assets during Bitcoin's rally toward $125,000.

Meanwhile, Ethereum ETFs and new altcoin products, including XRP and Solana-focused funds, have attracted over $900 million in institutional inflows, highlighting a migration of capital toward alternative crypto exposures.

ETF trading activity for Bitcoin has also shown a sharp decline in volume, falling from $5.3 billion on December 3 to $3.1 billion by December 5. This drop in liquidity coincided with a flattening of the basis trade - where arbitrageurs profit from price discrepancies between spot and futures markets - forcing traders to unwind positions and sell underlying assets. The unwinding has added pressure to Bitcoin's price, which currently hovers around $91,227, a level that has tested institutional resolve multiple times in recent weeks.

Market Rotation Toward Altcoins

As Bitcoin ETFs struggle with outflows, new altcoin ETFs have attracted significant institutional capital. A XRP-focused ETF alone attracted $58 million in its first day of trading, while Bitwise's Solana Staking ETF captured $57 million. Grayscale's Chainlink ETF added $41 million in early inflows, suggesting that investors are seeking exposure to projects with strong on-chain activity and yield opportunities. These inflows underscore a broader trend of capital rotation within the crypto space, as investors seek alternatives to Bitcoin amid macroeconomic uncertainty.

The shift in capital is also evident in Ethereum ETFs. BlackRock's ETHA fund, which manages $11.08 billion in assets, continues to see modest inflows, while new staking ETFs like ETHB are being filed in anticipation of growing demand for yield-bearing crypto products. This development marks a potential expansion of Ethereum's institutional footprint, as investors seek to combine price exposure with staking rewards.

Outlook and Investor Sentiment

Market watchers are closely monitoring Bitcoin's ability to reclaim key resistance levels, particularly the $96,000 to $106,000 range. A breakout above this zone could signal renewed institutional confidence, while a breakdown below $84,000 would likely confirm a deeper correction. Analysts like BlackRock's leadership and 21Shares' Ophelia Snyder suggest that the current outflows are part of normal ETF mechanics rather than a loss of confidence in Bitcoin's long-term trajectory.

The Fed's December 10 rate decision is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping investor sentiment. Traders are anticipating a 25-basis-point cut, which could provide a catalyst for risk assets like Bitcoin to regain momentum. However, if macroeconomic data surprises to the upside, further outflows from crypto ETFs could intensify, prolonging Bitcoin's consolidation phase.

Final Verdict

Based on current data, the assessment for Bitcoin is a "Hold" with an upside bias. While ETF flows remain under pressure, particularly with IBIT's ongoing outflow streak, Bitcoin's structural supply base remains strong, with exchange balances near 1.8 million BTC. A decisive move above $96,000 would justify a "Buy" rating, while a breakdown below $84,000 would warrant a "Sell".