Spot BTC ETFs Turn the Tide, Fidelity and BlackRock Lead the Charge

Has the Tide Turned for Spot BTC ETFs?

The recent financial inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs have marked a significant reversal of the trend that has prevailed over the past week. Since March 15th, these ETFs have experienced a net outflow of $887 million. However, on March 25th, the tide changed with a net inflow of $15.4 million, injecting a glimmer of hope into the market.

Grayscale's Woes Continue

Despite this positive development, Grayscale's GBTC fund remains in the red. On March 25th, it witnessed a sizeable outflow of $350 million, contributing to the overall aggregate ETF flow figures. This ongoing hemorrhage has seen Grayscale shed 273,335 BTC since its GBTC fund underwent a transformation into a spot ETF in mid-January. The fund currently manages 347,552 BTC, with an estimated $24.7 billion in assets under management.

Fidelity and BlackRock Lead the Charge

While Grayscale struggles, Fidelity has emerged as a beacon of positivity with a $262 million inflow into its FBTC fund. The fund's assets under management now stand at an impressive $7.2 billion. BlackRock, the previous leader in the pack, managed a more modest inflow of $35.5 million, falling below its average performance. Its IBIT fund boasts an AUM of $13.4 billion, but the combined assets of BlackRock and Fidelity still fall short of Grayscale's holdings.

Unprecedented Inflow Streak

Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas has highlighted the remarkable feat achieved by BlackRock and Fidelity, who have maintained a 50-day inflow streak. According to Balchunas, this is an extraordinary accomplishment for a new ETF and sets them apart from the industry norm.

Bitcoin's Resurgence

The shift in ETF flow trends coincides with a surge in Bitcoin's price, which reached $71,000 in late trading on March 25th. At the time of writing, during the Tuesday morning Asian trading session, Bitcoin was holding steady at $70,641.

Ethereum ETF Approval Odds Adjusted

The probability of spot Ethereum ETFs receiving regulatory approval has been revised downwards. Balchunas indicates a 25% chance of approval, albeit a pessimistic one. He notes a lack of positive signals or concrete intelligence to support a more optimistic outlook at this time.

Grayscale's Optimism Undeterred

Despite the setbacks, Grayscale's chief legal officer, Craig Salm, remains optimistic. He believes that spot Ethereum ETFs should be approved, echoing the equivalence of these ETFs with those tracking spot Bitcoin. Salm also emphasizes that the perceived lack of regulatory engagement should not be seen as indicative of any particular outcome.