Spot Bitcoin ETFs see $458M in inflows as Mideast conflict widens

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States recorded a substantial net inflow of $458.5 million on Tuesday, even as geopolitical tensions escalated in the Middle East. According to market data, the surge was led by BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which attracted $158.3 million, followed by Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) with $125.9 million and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) with $110 million. These inflows signify a resilient demand from institutional investors despite a broader market sell-off triggered by Iran’s missile attack on Israel, which saw Bitcoin’s price briefly retreat. In contrast, spot Ethereum ETFs faced a different sentiment, logging a total net outflow of $32.2 million during the same period. Financial analysts suggest that the divergence highlights Bitcoin’s emerging status as a preferred digital asset for investors seeking exposure during periods of global instability, even as traditional ‘risk-off’ assets like gold usually take center stage.

Source: Spot Bitcoin ETFs see $458M in inflows as Mideast conflict widens