Bitcoin News Today: Institutional Demand Drives Ether ETFs to Outperform Bitcoin in Latest Surge

Bitcoin and Ether Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) recorded significant inflows in late October 2025, marking a seventh consecutive day of gains. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $1.2 billion in net inflows on October 7, with BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) leading the surge by capturing $970 million alone. This marked the seventh occasion since March 2024 that Bitcoin ETF inflows exceeded $1 billion, a trend historically correlated with short-term price peaks. Meanwhile, spot Ether ETFs outperformed their Bitcoin counterparts over the past five trading days, pulling in $1.83 billion in inflows compared to $171 million for Bitcoin funds. The disparity reflects growing institutional and retail demand for Ether, driven by recent regulatory developments and market dynamics.

The Bitcoin ETF inflow surge aligns with broader market confidence in digital assets. BlackRock's IBIT, now its most profitable ETF, has amassed nearly $100 billion in assets under management (AUM), generating an estimated $244.5 million in annual revenue for the firm. This growth underscores the token's integration into traditional finance, with inflows often preceding price rallies. For instance, the first $1 billion inflow in March 2024 coincided with Bitcoin peaking at $74,000, while subsequent surges in November 2024 and January 2025 preceded price tops near $100,000 and $123,000, respectively. Analysts note that the current inflow momentum could signal another potential peak as Bitcoin trades near $124,000, having briefly climbed above $126,000 on October 7.

Ether ETFs have similarly seen robust demand, with nine funds recording $310.3 million in inflows on October 8 alone. Over the past five days, Ether ETFs captured tenfold the inflows of Bitcoin funds, a trend attributed to Ethereum's faster price recovery and regulatory tailwinds. The network's dominance in stablecoin and tokenized real-world assets, coupled with the July passage of the GENIUS Act, has positioned Ether as a preferred asset for institutional investors. VanEck CEO Jan van Eck recently described Ether as "the Wall Street token," highlighting its growing adoption among investment advisers, who now hold $1.3 billion in Ether ETF exposure according to SEC filings.

The divergent performance of Bitcoin and Ether ETFs reflects shifting market priorities. While Bitcoin remains the largest digital asset by market capitalization, Ether's utility in decentralized finance (DeFi) and smart contract ecosystems has attracted renewed interest. Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart noted that investment advisers dominate Ether ETF holdings, with Goldman Sachs holding $712 million in exposure. This contrasts with Bitcoin's longer-standing but slower-growth ETF inflows, which have totaled $54 billion over 20 months compared to Ether's $13.6 billion in 13 months. The trend suggests that Ether ETFs are now outpacing Bitcoin in terms of institutional adoption, despite the latter's first-mover advantage.

Looking ahead, the sustained inflows into both Bitcoin and Ether ETFs indicate a maturing market structure. For Bitcoin, the pattern of large inflows preceding price peaks raises expectations for further gains, though volatility remains a key risk. Ether's outperformance highlights its role as a catalyst for broader digital asset adoption, particularly as regulatory frameworks stabilize. However, both tokens face challenges, including macroeconomic pressures and potential regulatory shifts, which could influence future inflow trends. As institutional participation deepens, the performance of these ETFs will likely remain a critical barometer for the crypto market's integration into traditional finance.