Bitcoin ETFs Generate First Calendar Year of Net Outflows in 2026

US spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs have gathered $25.6 billion in inflows during 2026 while suffering $26.1 billion in outflows. Year-to-date net flows stand at negative $502 million, data from SoSoValue through November 5 shows.

Total holdings across the funds fell to $96.65 billion from $113.29 billion since the close of 2025. This Wall Street channel has added no net demand for Bitcoin over the year so far.

Why Flat Bitcoin ETF Flows Affect Prices

Spot ETFs acquire actual Bitcoin whenever investors add capital. They liquidate holdings when investors redeem.

In prior years, this mechanism consistently produced net demand. SoSoValue data indicates the funds attracted roughly $35.2 billion in 2024 and $21.4 billion in 2025.

Activity levels are robust. Although $3.89 billion worth of ETF shares changed hands on November 5 alone, outflows matched inflows exactly.

Net selling increased as November began. From November 2 through November 5, the funds saw net outflows of $869.8 million, with $430.2 million of that occurring on Thursday.

Bitcoin briefly revisited the $75,000 level during a tech stock decline. By Friday, it was trading around $75,500, according to SoSoValue.

Are Ethereum ETFs Also Seeing Losses?

They are. Data from SoSoValue reveals US spot Ethereum (ETH) ETFs have recorded roughly $310 million in net outflows during 2026.

Assets under management contracted from $17.95 billion to $13.04 billion in the same timeframe. October was the worst month since the ETFs debuted, marking withdrawals of $1.61 billion.

Glassnode, an on-chain data provider, logged a consecutive streak of 23 trading days of Ethereum ETF outflows ending October 31, a new record.

How Could Bitcoin ETF Flows Turn Positive Again?

Some funds are holding up well. SoSoValue data shows Morgan Stanley's MSBT Bitcoin ETF has gathered $783 million in net inflows.

Institutional distribution continues. Despite the negative flows, Citi Wealth has continued promoting Bitcoin ETFs to its clients.

The data for Friday has yet to be published and could still adjust the annual figure.

To close 2026 in positive territory, the funds require net inflows exceeding $502 million across the last eight weeks of the year.

Failing to reach that mark would make 2026 the first full calendar year of net outflows since the US spot Bitcoin ETFs were launched in January 2024.