Bitcoin News Today: Kiyosaki warns ETFs lack tangible security, gold ETFs attract $38B while Bitcoin ETFs face outflows

Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, has urged investors to reconsider their reliance on exchange-traded funds (ETFs), emphasizing that these instruments offer only "a picture of a gun" rather than tangible security. In a recent post, he argued that while ETFs simplify investing, they cannot replace physical assets like gold, silver, and Bitcoin, which he advocates as true stores of value during economic uncertainty [1]. His remarks coincide with contrasting trends in the asset markets: global physically backed gold ETFs attracted $38 billion in net inflows during the first half of 2025, the strongest semi-annual performance since early 2020, while Bitcoin ETFs faced outflows and Ethereum ETFs extended their positive streak to 12 consecutive days of gains [2].

The surge in gold ETFs was driven by North American and European investors, with North America alone accounting for $21 billion in inflows—the region’s best first-half performance in five years. Asia contributed $11 billion, despite representing only 9% of total assets under management (AUM). These flows pushed global gold ETF AUM to $383 billion by midyear, with holdings rising to 3,616 metric tons, the highest since August 2022. Daily trading volumes also hit records, averaging $329 billion [3].

In contrast, the cryptocurrency market displayed divergent dynamics. Spot Bitcoin ETFs ended a 12-day streak of inflows, posting $131.35 million in outflows on a single day, with Ark & 21Shares’ ARKB fund leading the retreat. Ethereum ETFs, however, saw $296.6 million in net inflows, driven by Fidelity’s FETH and BlackRock’s ETHA. This shift highlights growing confidence in Ethereum’s market structure, with Ethereum ETFs surpassing Bitcoin in inflows over six consecutive days [4]. Analysts attribute Ethereum’s gains to improved market sentiment and institutional adoption, though Bitcoin ETFs faced pressure from large-scale token offloadings, such as Galaxy Digital’s $1.39 billion transfer of Bitcoin to exchanges [5].

Kiyosaki’s critique of ETFs centers on their indirect exposure to underlying assets, which he views as systemic risks in times of crisis. He advocates for physical commodities and cryptocurrencies as "real security," a stance reflected in recent data showing gold ETFs outperforming equity benchmarks over the past decade. However, such comparisons are not directly cited in the provided sources [6]. The tension between ETFs and physical assets underscores evolving investor priorities. While ETFs offer liquidity and diversification, their reliance on intermediaries and market conditions can amplify risks during downturns. Kiyosaki’s warnings align with broader debates about derivatives and leveraged products in portfolios, particularly as central bank policies and interest rates reshape global markets.

Market participants are now monitoring whether gold and Ethereum ETF inflows will sustain their momentum. For now, the data reflects a bifurcation: investors are diversifying allocations between traditional commodities and digital assets, with traditional equity and crypto ETFs exhibiting uneven performance. Kiyosaki’s message appears to gain traction amid heightened volatility, reinforcing the case for tangible assets in an unpredictable economic landscape.

Sources:

[1] [BlockchainReporter](https://blockchainreporter.net/robert-kiyosaki-warns-on-etfs-as-gold-and-crypto-funds-see-strong-flows/)

[2] [CoinCentral](https://coincentral.com/robert-kiyosaki-warns-etfs-are-just-pictures-of-a-gun-why-he-still-prefers-real-gold-and-bitcoin/)

[3] [World Gold Council](https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/6884113ee05dea66bbce070c/)

[4] [CoinStats](https://coinstats.app/news/3723301950e815a16df8e1032503bbb422e78111f802a0efab61690d84768983_Ethereum-ETFs-Pull-In-87B-in-First-Year-After-Almost-5B-Rush-in-Past-Two-Weeks)

[5] [CoinCentral](https://coincentral.com/why-is-crypto-down-today-heres-what-happened/)

[6] [MSN](http://www.msn.com/en-in/money/markets/gold-etf-has-beaten-nifty-etf-7-times-in-10-years-how-to-invest-now/ar-AA1J7bX9?apiversion=v2&batchservertelemetry=1&domshim=1&noservercache=1&noservertelemetry=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1)