Bitcoin News Today: Record Crypto ETF Inflows Defy Stagnant Prices, Signal Long-Term Conviction

U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded substantial inflows on Tuesday, October 28, signaling a renewed surge in institutional demand for digital assets, according to FinanceFeeds. The combined net inflows for Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs totaled $448.4 million, with Bitcoin ETFs attracting $202.4 million and Ethereum ETFs drawing $246 million. This marks one of the strongest single-day inflows for Ethereum ETFs since their launch earlier this year, underscoring growing confidence in the asset's on-chain staking ecosystem and Layer-2 scaling activity, the report said.

Bitcoin ETFs saw robust activity, with ARK 21Shares (ARKB) capturing the largest inflow at $75.8 million, followed by Fidelity's FBTC at $67.0 million and BlackRock's IBIT with $59.6 million. Bitwise and VanEck ETFs recorded minimal or neutral flows, the report noted. Analysts attribute the sustained inflows to institutional investors viewing Bitcoin as a macro hedge amid expectations of a Federal Reserve policy pivot in late 2025. Despite Bitcoin's price stagnation around $70,000, market participants remain focused on its long-term potential, bolstered by regulatory clarity and the integration of digital assets into mainstream finance, the outlet added.

Ethereum ETFs outperformed their Bitcoin counterparts, with Fidelity's FETH leading the pack at $99.3 million and ARK 21Shares' ETHA adding $76.4 million. Grayscale's ETHE, however, saw outflows of $2.7 million as investors shifted toward more cost-efficient funds with tighter tracking performance, the report said. The Ethereum inflows reflect renewed optimism around the network's role in decentralized finance (DeFi) and its technical upgrades, positioning it as a critical gateway for institutional blockchain participation, the analysis added.

The combined assets under management (AUM) for U.S.-listed crypto ETFs now exceed $60 billion, a testament to the rapid institutional adoption of regulated digital asset products, the report observed. Experts predict further expansion as global regulators, including the European Union and Asia-Pacific markets, explore similar ETF structures. U.S. issuers are also preparing for multi-asset and DeFi-focused fund launches in 2026, the outlet noted.

Sustained ETF inflows are increasingly seen as a stabilizing force for crypto markets. Analysts note that consistent flows during periods of price consolidation reflect long-term conviction rather than speculative trading. With macroeconomic uncertainty persisting, Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs are gaining traction as diversification tools and inflation hedges, the report concluded. If current momentum continues, both assets could enter the final quarter of 2025 with renewed upside potential, setting the stage for another wave of institutional engagement in 2026.