Outflows Surge from Ark Invest's Bitcoin ETF Amid Market Jitters

Cathie Wood's Ark 21 Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) has witnessed escalating outflows, totaling $12.9 million on April 16th and $42.7 million on the 17th, marking the first consecutive days of withdrawals since the month's inception. This follows a trend of broader Bitcoin ETF market outflows, with the total reaching $165 million yesterday, predominantly driven by GBTC's $133.1 million outflows.

Accelerating Outflows from Ark Invest's Bitcoin ETF Raise Concerns Amidst Market Turbulence

New York, April 18, 2024 - While the cryptocurrency community eagerly anticipates a potential "flippening" in the world of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), a different ETF has sent shockwaves through the industry with its accelerating outflows.

Ark Invest's Ark 21 Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) has experienced two consecutive days of outflows for the first time since the start of the month, signaling a shift in investor sentiment towards Bitcoin. On April 16th, the fund witnessed $12.9 million in outflows, followed by a substantial $42.7 million exodus on April 17th.

According to data from the 21 Shares website, ARKB currently manages $2.7 billion in assets, with an impressive year-to-date return of 37.08%. This growth has largely mirrored Bitcoin's price appreciation, which has surged from around $42,000 at the beginning of the year to its current level hovering around $63,000.

ARKB's outflows echo a broader trend in the Bitcoin ETF market, which has witnessed a significant decline in net inflows since the start of last week. Total net outflows reached a staggering $165 million yesterday, with Grayscale's GBTC accounting for a lion's share of the exodus, experiencing outflows of $133.1 million.

Inflows into BlackRock's IBIT have also slowed down, with only $18.1 million entering the fund yesterday. This has raised concerns among analysts, who fear that IBIT may not overtake GBTC in assets under management by the end of the month, as previously predicted by Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Eric Balchunas.

Grayscale CEO Michael Sonnenshein recently suggested that outflows from GBTC had reached a "bit of an equilibrium," attributing the initial outflows to selling pressure linked to the bankruptcies of FTX and other crypto companies. However, the recent outflows from ARKB indicate a broader shift in investor sentiment than previously anticipated.

ARKB's outflows coincide with Ark Invest facing declining market share in the U.S. ETF market. Over the past year, Ark's ETFs have experienced outflows of $2.7 billion, with $1.8 billion leaving its funds in the first three months of 2024.

In a bid to regain momentum, the firm recently launched its first European ETFs, Ark Innovation UCITS ETF (ARKK), Ark Genomic Revolution UCITS ETF (ARKG), and Ark Artificial Intelligence & Robots UCITS ETF (ARKI).

"Over the past decade, a substantial portion of our website traffic, subscriber base, inbound requests, and social media traffic have come from people in Europe," Wood said in a statement about the launch of the European funds, "a clear signal of the strong interest and demand for Ark’s investment strategies within the European market."

Analysts remain divided on the implications of the outflows from ARKB. Some argue that it is a short-term reaction to market volatility, while others believe it reflects a waning interest in Bitcoin ETFs.

One analyst, who wished to remain anonymous, commented, "These outflows are a warning sign that investors are growing cautious about Bitcoin ETFs. They are seeking safer havens for their money during this period of uncertainty."

Another analyst, however, expressed optimism, saying, "ARKB's outflows are likely a temporary blip. Bitcoin remains a strong investment with long-term growth potential. Investors who stay the course will be rewarded in the end."

As the cryptocurrency market continues to navigate turbulent waters, the outflows from ARKB will undoubtedly intensify scrutiny of Bitcoin ETFs. Investors are advised to carefully evaluate their investment decisions and seek professional guidance if necessary.