Crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) closed the final full week of January under heavy pressure, with deep losses across bitcoin, ether, XRP, and solana funds. Persistent risk-off sentiment drove one of the worst weekly drawdowns of the year.
ETF Recap: Crypto ETFs End January in Deep Retreat With $1.8 Billion Exit
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January Ends in Pain as Bitcoin, Ether Lead Mass ETF Exodus
The final week of January delivered a sobering reality check for crypto ETF investors. What began with tentative stabilization quickly unraveled into a broad-based selloff, leaving no major asset class unscathed by Friday’s close.
Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded a staggering $1.49 billion net outflow, marking the second-largest weekly outflow on record. Blackrock’s IBIT carried the heaviest burden, posting consistent daily redemptions that culminated in $947.17 million in net weekly outflows.
Fidelity’s FBTC followed with $191.59 million in net weekly outflows, weighed down by sustained selling pressure despite brief midweek relief. Grayscale’s GBTC shed approximately $119 million, while Bitwise’s BITB lost $112 million. Ark & 21shares’ ARKB also saw notable weakness, ending the week down $78.45 million.
Smaller but persistent outflows were recorded across Vaneck’s HODL, Grayscale’s Bitcoin Mini Trust, and Invesco’s BTCO. Weekly trading volume across Bitcoin ETFs exceeded $22 billion, while total net assets fell sharply toward $107 billion.
Ether spot ETFs posted $327 million in net weekly outflows, extending January’s volatility. Blackrock’s ETHA led the declines with roughly $264 million in net redemptions, including two outsized exit days late in the week. Fidelity’s FETH lost approximately $16.92 million, while Grayscale’s ETHE and Ether Mini Trust together saw combined outflows near $45 million. Bitwise’s ETHW added further downside with modest but steady exits. Weekly trading volume across ether ETFs reached nearly $7.78 billion, while net assets slipped below $16 billion.
XRP spot ETFs recorded their largest weekly setback since launch, with $52.26 million in net outflows. Grayscale’s GXRP accounted for the majority of the damage, posting a weekly net exit of $95.79 million, partially offset by steady inflows into Bitwise’s XRP ($18.71 million), Franklin’s XRPZ ($9.11 million), 21Shares’ TOXR ($8.19 million), and Canary’s XRPC ($7.53 million). Despite late-week inflows, total net assets declined to around $1.19 billion.
Read more: ETF Recap: Redemptions Surge as Bitcoin, Ether See Historic Weekly Exits
Solana spot ETFs closed the week with $2.45 million in net outflows, snapping their recent inflow streak. Bitwise’s BSOL and Grayscale’s GSOL absorbed most of the pressure, while Fidelity’s FSOL provided intermittent support. Net assets dipped just below $1 billion, reflecting cautious positioning rather than outright capitulation.
Overall, the week was defined by aggressive de-risking. Bitcoin and ether bore the brunt of institutional selling, while XRP and solana lost their defensive footing. As January closed, crypto ETFs entered February facing damaged sentiment and a market clearly searching for firmer ground.
FAQ 📉
• Why did crypto ETFs suffer heavy losses in late January?
A sustained risk-off shift triggered aggressive institutional de-risking across digital assets.
• How large were Bitcoin and Ether ETF weekly outflows?
Bitcoin ETFs lost $1.49 billion, while Ether ETFs saw roughly $327 million in net exits.
• Did any crypto ETFs show resilience during the selloff?
XRP and Solana saw partial inflows, but both still ended the week in net outflows.
• What does this mean for crypto ETFs heading into February?
Sentiment is damaged, with investors cautious and waiting for clearer macro signals.
