Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin ETFs Outpace Gold's Two-Decade Growth in One Year, Signal Institutional Shift

Bitcoin spot ETFs attracted a record $985.08 million in net inflows on October 3, 2025, marking the fifth consecutive day of positive momentum and underscoring growing institutional adoption of the cryptocurrency. This surge in capital flows coincided with Bitcoin's price surging above $123,996, a six-week high, driven by heavy institutional buying and increased trading volumes in ETFsMarketminute - 2025-10-04 - Bitcoin ETFs Fuel Record Inflows, Propelling Market Toward New All-Time Highs^[1]. The inflows represent a dramatic reversal from the preceding week's $902 million in outflows, signaling renewed investor confidence in Bitcoin as a mainstream asset classMarketminute - 2025-10-04 - Bitcoin ETFs Fuel Record Inflows, Propelling Market Toward New All-Time Highs^[1].

BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led the inflow surge, capturing $791.55 million, while other major players, including Fidelity's Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) with $69.58 million and Ark 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) with $35.48 million, also saw significant contributionsMarketminute - 2025-10-04 - Bitcoin ETFs Fuel Record Inflows, Propelling Market Toward New All-Time Highs^[1]. The cumulative net inflows for Bitcoin ETFs since their January 2024 inception now approach $60 billion, with the total net asset value of these funds reaching $164.497 billion-constituting 6.74% of Bitcoin's total market capitalizationMarketminute - 2025-10-04 - Bitcoin ETFs Fuel Record Inflows, Propelling Market Toward New All-Time Highs^[1]. This growth reflects the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) historic approval of 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024, which catalyzed a paradigm shift in institutional access to crypto assetsMarketminute - 2025-10-04 - Bitcoin ETFs Fuel Record Inflows, Propelling Market Toward New All-Time Highs^[1].

The ETF inflows have amplified Bitcoin's role as a diversifier in traditional portfolios. Analysts highlight that Bitcoin's low correlation with equities and bonds, coupled with its perceived "digital gold" status, has made it an attractive hedge against macroeconomic uncertaintiesMarketminute - 2025-10-04 - Bitcoin ETFs Fuel Record Inflows, Propelling Market Toward New All-Time Highs^[1]. The recent inflows align with broader trends of institutional capital shifting toward crypto, with BlackRock's IBIT alone amassing $61 billion in assets under management (AUM) in under a year-a feat its gold ETF (IAU) took two decades to achieve for $33 billionMarketminute - 2025-10-04 - Bitcoin ETFs Fuel Record Inflows, Propelling Market Toward New All-Time Highs^[1]. This rapid adoption has also spurred regulatory clarity, including the SEC's streamlined approval process for crypto ETFs and the repeal of SAB 121, which previously hindered institutional participationMarketminute - 2025-10-04 - Bitcoin ETFs Fuel Record Inflows, Propelling Market Toward New All-Time Highs^[1].

Market participants are closely monitoring the implications of sustained ETF inflows. JPMorgan analysts project Bitcoin could reach $165,000 by year-end, while Standard Chartered and Citigroup forecast targets of $200,000 and $231,000, respectivelyMarketminute - 2025-10-04 - Bitcoin ETFs Fuel Record Inflows, Propelling Market Toward New All-Time Highs^[1]. These predictions are underpinned by favorable macroeconomic conditions, including expectations of a U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut, and Bitcoin's historical resilience in Q4. Additionally, the U.S. government shutdown, which temporarily halted new ETF approvals, has paradoxically reinforced Bitcoin's safe-haven appeal, with its price showing an inverse correlation to the U.S. dollar indexMarketminute - 2025-10-04 - Bitcoin ETFs Fuel Record Inflows, Propelling Market Toward New All-Time Highs^[1].

The ETF-driven momentum has also reshaped the broader crypto ecosystem. Bitcoin mining firms, such as Marathon Digital and Riot Platforms, stand to benefit from higher prices, while asset managers like BlackRock and Fidelity have solidified their dominance in the digital asset spaceMarketminute - 2025-10-04 - Bitcoin ETFs Fuel Record Inflows, Propelling Market Toward New All-Time Highs^[1]. However, challenges persist, including regulatory uncertainty, custody risks, and liquidity gaps between 24/7 crypto markets and traditional trading hours. Analysts caution that while the short-term outlook remains bullish, long-term success will depend on sustained institutional demand and regulatory stabilityMarketminute - 2025-10-04 - Bitcoin ETFs Fuel Record Inflows, Propelling Market Toward New All-Time Highs^[1].