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US spot Bitcoin ETFs record $1.18 billion inflows, the second-largest ever.
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Bitcoin reached a record high above $126,000 before easing slightly.
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Institutional buying via ETFs fuels the rally amid “Uptober” optimism.
US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) posted their second-largest single-day inflows ever on Monday, coinciding with Bitcoin’s climb to a new all-time high above $126,000. According to Farside Investors, the 11 US spot Bitcoin ETFs gathered a combined $1.19 billion in one trading day, behind only the $1.37 billion seen on November 7, 2024, following Donald Trump’s presidential election win.
The strong inflows pushed total October net new capital to $3.47 billion in just four trading sessions, underscoring intense demand at the start of the month. Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart noted that US spot Bitcoin ETFs have accumulated roughly $60 billion in total inflows since their launch last year, reflecting sustained institutional appetite for regulated Bitcoin exposure.
BlackRock dominates ETF inflows
Leading the inflows was the BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which drew an extraordinary $970 million on Monday. IBIT has attracted about $2.6 billion since October began and is approaching a landmark in assets under management.
Nova Dius President Nate Geraci highlighted that IBIT is nearing $100 billion in AUM, holding roughly 783,767 BTC in Bitcoin and cash—equivalent to an estimated $98.5 billion. If IBIT crosses the $100 billion threshold, it will be one of only 18 ETFs out of more than 4,500 to have reached that scale.
| Date | IBIT | FBTC | BITB | ARKB | BTCO | EZBC | BRRR | HODL | BTCW | GBTC | BTC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Oct 2025 | 405.5 | 179.3 | 59.4 | 5.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6.6 | 0.0 | 9.2 | 9.9 | 675.8 |
| 02 Oct 2025 | 466.5 | 89.6 | 11.2 | 45.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 2.8 | 10.2 | 627.2 |
| 03 Oct 2025 | 791.6 | 69.6 | 24.0 | 35.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 26.0 | 0.0 | 18.3 | 20.1 | 985.1 |
| 06 Oct 2025 | 970.0 | 112.3 | 60.1 | 0.0 | 7.5 | 3.6 | 0.0 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 30.6 | 0.0 | 1,190.1 |
Geraci compared the rapid growth of IBIT to the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, noting that the Vanguard fund took more than 2,000 days to reach $100 billion, while IBIT could achieve the same milestone in under 450 days. The pace of capital accumulation into Bitcoin ETFs is therefore unprecedented.
Other ETFs also benefited. The Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) recorded $112 million in inflows, Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) attracted $60 million, and the Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC) saw $30 million flow in.
Institutional momentum and the “debasement trade”
The current Bitcoin surge is largely being driven by institutional flows into ETFs, which allow large investors to gain exposure without managing private keys or custody. Market observers say retail participation remains comparatively limited, highlighting the central role of institutional capital in this leg of the rally.
Traders also point to the so-called “debasement trade” as a supporting factor: investors rotating into non-sovereign assets such as Bitcoin and gold amid policy uncertainty. The ongoing US government shutdown has delayed key economic data releases and raised questions about policy direction, encouraging some investors to seek hedges against possible monetary easing and inflationary risks.
That impulse toward alternative stores of value has reinforced demand for Bitcoin as a portfolio diversifier and inflation hedge.
Bitcoin steadies after record high
Bitcoin briefly hit an all-time high of $126,186 on Monday before easing modestly on profit-taking, but it remained resilient. On Tuesday, the cryptocurrency traded near $123,427.9, holding much of its gains.
US spot Bitcoin ETFs posted $3.2 billion in net inflows for the week ending October 3, marking the second-largest weekly total since these funds launched. That weekly figure included $985 million in inflows on October 3 alone.
Seasonal optimism—often called “Uptober”—has also contributed to positive market sentiment. Historically, October has been a strong month for Bitcoin, and investors appear to be positioning for continued strength. Despite intermittent pullbacks, analysts say the combination of ETF-driven demand, macroeconomic uncertainty, and seasonal momentum supports Bitcoin’s upward trajectory for now.