Crypto News: Spot Bitcoin ETFs Extend Outflow Streak to Five Weeks as $3.8B Exits Amid Macro Uncertainty

U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have recorded a fifth consecutive week of net withdrawals, with total outflows reaching approximately $3.8 billion, as institutional investors continue to reduce risk exposure amid heightened macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty.According to data from SoSoValue, spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $315.9 million in net outflows last week. The largest weekly drawdown during the current streak occurred in the week ending Jan. 30, when investors pulled around $1.49 billion from the products.Weekly Inflows Fail to Offset Heavy RedemptionsWhile some trading sessions posted inflows, they were insufficient to reverse the broader weekly trend. On Friday, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded roughly $88 million in inflows, but these gains were outweighed by larger redemption days earlier in the week.Notable outflows included:More than $410 million on Feb. 12Additional negative flow sessions between Feb. 17 and Feb. 19As a result, weekly flows remained firmly negative despite intermittent buying interest.Since their launch, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have still accumulated approximately $54.01 billion in cumulative net inflows, underscoring that the recent withdrawals reflect short-term positioning rather than a full reversal of institutional adoption. Total net assets currently stand at around $85.31 billion, representing about 6.3% of Bitcoin’s total market capitalization.Institutional De-Risking, Not Structural ExitMarket participants attribute the sustained outflows primarily to institutional de-risking, rather than waning conviction in Bitcoin’s long-term outlook.Vincent Liu, Chief Investment Officer at Kronos Research, said the ETF withdrawals reflect broader portfolio adjustments as investors respond to rising geopolitical tensions and macro uncertainty.He noted that escalating trade disputes and tariff-related developments have reinforced a risk-off environment across global markets, leaving digital assets particularly sensitive to macro headlines.“Flows are likely to remain volatile in the near term,” Liu said, adding that upcoming economic data — including U.S. initial jobless claims — could influence sentiment. Weaker labor data may revive expectations for future Federal Reserve rate cuts, potentially stabilizing flows at a time when crypto sentiment remains deeply pessimistic.At last reading, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index remained in extreme fear territory.Ether ETFs Also See Sustained OutflowsSelling pressure has not been limited to Bitcoin-linked products. Spot Ether ETFs have also posted five consecutive weeks of net outflows, as investors reduced exposure to the second-largest cryptocurrency.SoSoValue data shows Ether ETFs recorded approximately $123.4 million in net outflows last week. While the funds saw isolated inflow days — including $48.6 million on Feb. 17 and $10.3 million on Feb. 13 — these were outweighed by heavier selling earlier in the week.Macro Signals Key to Flow ReversalThe persistence of ETF outflows highlights how closely crypto investment products are now tied to macroeconomic conditions, including interest rate expectations, labor market data, and geopolitical risk.For flows to stabilize or turn positive, analysts say markets will likely need clearer signals of easing financial conditions or renewed confidence in the Federal Reserve’s policy trajectory. Until then, ETF flows are expected to remain uneven, even as long-term institutional participation in crypto markets remains intact.