Bitcoin News Today: Investors Flock to Ether, Altcoins as Crypto ETPs Hit $48.7B, Bitcoin's Dominance Wanes

Bitcoin's dominance in the cryptocurrency exchange-traded product (ETP) market appears to be waning, as Ether and select altcoins drive record inflows. Global crypto ETPs have attracted over $48.67 billion in year-to-date (YTD) inflows as of October 9, 2025, surpassing the full-year total of $44.2 billion recorded in 2024. While Bitcoin-based ETPs remain the largest category, capturing $30 billion (62% of inflows), their share has declined from 86% in 2024. Ether ETPs have surged to $14.1 billion in YTD inflows, accounting for 29% of the total, a significant increase from 11% in 2024. Solana (SOL) and XRP have also seen notable inflows of $2.7 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively, signaling broader investor interest in altcoins.

The shift in investor appetite is evident in recent weekly data. On October 1, 2025, Bitcoin ETPs recorded $3.6 billion in inflows, the highest single-week figure for the asset. However, Ether ETPs have outpaced Bitcoin in multiple weeks this year, including a $2.9 billion inflow in a single week in July. CoinShares research director James Butterfill noted that Ether's inflows have grown amid price dips, such as when Ethereum fell below $2,700 in February, triggering "significant buying-on-weakness". This trend highlights Ethereum's appeal as a high-growth asset, particularly due to its role in decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain innovation.

Altcoin ETPs have further diversified the inflow landscape. Solana and XRP have led the charge, with YTD inflows of $2.7 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively. Other tokens, including Sui and Litecoin, have seen smaller but growing traction. Analysts attribute the broader adoption of altcoin ETPs to Ethereum's maturing ecosystem and institutional-grade applications, which provide a buffer against short-term volatility compared to Bitcoin. For instance, Ethereum's staking capabilities and smart contract infrastructure have attracted large-scale investors seeking diversified exposure.

The surge in ETP inflows has coincided with record-breaking trading volumes for spot crypto ETFs. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas reported that Ethereum ETFs alone generated $17 billion in weekly trading volume in July, shattering previous records. This liquidity has reinforced investor confidence, particularly among institutions. BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) continues to dominate the market, with assets under management nearing $100 billion, while Fidelity's Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund has seen significant outflows, reflecting strategic rebalancing by institutional players.

Regulatory developments and product innovations are expected to further shape the ETP landscape. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved spot Ethereum ETFs, and market participants await decisions on altcoin ETFs, which could catalyze additional inflows. Grayscale Investments and other issuers have already introduced products with staking capabilities, signaling a shift toward utility-driven crypto investments. Analysts recommend investors monitor weekly inflows, regulatory outcomes, and product launches, as continued diversification into Ether and altcoins could further erode Bitcoin's dominance in the ETP space.

The data underscores a maturing crypto market where institutional and retail investors are increasingly allocating capital beyond Bitcoin. While Bitcoin remains the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, its ETP inflows now represent a smaller share of the total, reflecting a broader acceptance of Ethereum and altcoins as viable investment vehicles. As regulatory clarity improves and innovation accelerates, the ETP sector is poised to remain a key driver of institutional adoption in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

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Source: [1] Coinotag (https://en.coinotag.com/bitcoin-dominance-may-be-easing-as-ether-and-altcoins-boost-crypto-etp-inflows-past-48-7b/)

Source: [2] CoinShares (https://cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-funds-record-5-95-billion-inflows-amid-shutdown-concerns)

Source: [3] CoinEngineer (https://coinengineer.net/blog/ethereum-etp-record-inflows-crypto-fund-growth-2025/)

Source: [4] The Currency Analytics (https://thecurrencyanalytics.com/altcoins/ether-etfs-surge-to-record-3-75b-inflows-as-crypto-products-boom-191307)

Source: [5] Cointelegraph (https://cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-etps-inflows-ether-outpaces-bitcoin)