Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin, Ether ETFs Bleed $1.14 Billion as Cash Shifts to Solana, XRP Funds

Bitcoin and ether spot ETFs recorded combined outflows of $1.14 billion in the week ending Dec. 19, 2025, as investors rotated capital toward solana and XRP funds. The outflows marked a sharp reversal from the inflow trends seen in October, when these ETFs drew in nearly $7 billion as Bitcoin hit an all-time high. BlackRock's IBIT led the outflow pack, losing $240.3 million, while Fidelity's FBTC was the only Bitcoin ETF to see inflows.

Ethereum ETFs fared even worse, with net outflows of $643.97 million, led by BlackRock's ETHA, which saw $558 million in redemptions over seven consecutive days. Solana ETFs, in contrast, saw $66.55 million in inflows, with Fidelity's FSOL and Bitwise's BSOL attracting the most capital. XRP ETFs extended their inflow streak to six weeks, posting $82.04 million in new capital, highlighting a shift toward smaller-cap crypto assets.

The week reflected a broader trend of selective rotation within the crypto ETF market rather than a broad retreat from digital assets. While Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs continued to see pressure, Solana and XRP products demonstrated resilience and growing investor confidence amid thin holiday liquidity and macroeconomic uncertainty.

How Markets Reacted

Bitcoin price action remained subdued ahead of key U.S. macroeconomic releases, including GDP data and jobless claims figures, due on Dec. 25. The BTC price chart displayed multiple bearish patterns, including a flag formation that suggested further downside in the short term.

On-chain data indicated that long-term Bitcoin holders were locking in gains, selling on every rise. This behavior has historically occurred closer to market highs rather than during bottoms, signaling profit-taking rather than panic-driven capitulation.

Ethereum also faced sustained selling pressure, with seven consecutive days of ETF outflows. Despite the decline, Ethereum ETFs still maintained a year-to-date inflow of $12.7 billion, outperforming the same period in 2024. Analysts noted that the continued outflows indicated weaker short-term confidence in ETH compared to other large-cap assets. However, no major forced selling events were recorded, suggesting a gradual, strategic exit rather than panic-driven trades.

Solana and XRP ETFs, in contrast, saw steady inflows as investors sought higher-beta assets amid a sideways market phase. XRP ETFs, particularly Franklin's XRPZ and 21Shares' TOXR, captured the bulk of new allocations, while Grayscale's GXRP and Bitwise's XRP added steady support. Solana ETFs also demonstrated resilience, with cumulative inflows exceeding $742.6 million and showing no notable outflows. This clean inflow trend suggested consistent demand rather than speculative short-term interest.

What Analysts Are Watching

The recent outflows from Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs have drawn attention from analysts and investors, who are watching for signs of institutional sentiment shifts and broader market rotations. Bitcoin ETFs recorded over $497 million in outflows for the week, with BlackRock's IBIT, Bitwise's BITB, and ARK 21Shares' ARKB among the most affected. Fidelity's FBTC, the only ETF to record inflows, attracted $33.1 million, indicating a limited but growing appetite for Bitcoin exposure.

On-chain data further suggested that institutional selling pressure remained strong. The total assets under management (AUM) in Bitcoin ETFs dropped from $169.5 billion to $120.7 billion over the past 60 days, with November alone seeing $3.79 billion in net outflows. This trend has raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of ETF demand and the potential for further price corrections in BTC.

Ethereum ETFs also showed signs of institutional disengagement, with cumulative net outflows over the past month reaching $3.79 billion. Analysts like Peter Brandt have warned of an 80% price correction from the highs if the current trend continues. The market remains in wait-and-watch mode ahead of key macroeconomic releases, with traders closely monitoring data that could influence broader risk sentiment.

Risks to the Outlook

The continued outflows from large-cap crypto ETFs pose risks to near-term market stability, particularly as thin holiday liquidity and macroeconomic uncertainty persist. Bitcoin price remains within a tight range around $89,000, supported by intermittent inflows but under pressure from bearish technical indicators. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the daily chart showed an uptrend but remained below the 50 midline, signaling a potential break higher could be near. However, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) also showed positive divergence, which could provide additional momentum for a breakout.

The rotation into Solana and XRP ETFs suggests that investors are seeking higher-beta assets to capitalize on perceived upside in a sideways market. However, these assets come with higher volatility and liquidity risks, particularly in thinly traded markets and during high-volatility events. Additionally, the recent filing of 5x leveraged ETFs for Bitcoin, ether, and XRP by Volatility Shares highlights the growing complexity of crypto exposure, which could exacerbate price swings and trigger unintended losses in thin markets.

Bitcoin and Ethereum remain dominant in terms of ETF size and liquidity, but the latest data reflects a rotation rather than an abandonment of the market. Investors appear to be repositioning ahead of the next major move, with a clear split between large-cap exposure and higher-beta altcoins. For now, the market remains in a holding pattern, with outflows from BTC and ETH ETFs underscoring the need for a clearer macroeconomic direction to spark a definitive move higher.