U.S. Spot Bitcoin ETFs See Largest Outflows in Three Weeks as Ark Rebalances Crypto Exposure

Largest Single-Day Outflows for U.S. Spot Bitcoin ETFs Since Early March

Spot bitcoin ETFs in the United States reported $171.2 million in net outflows across seven funds on Thursday, marking their largest daily outflow since March 6, based on data from SoSoValue. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) posted the largest individual outflow at $41.9 million. Other issuers, including Fidelity, Bitwise, and Ark, each saw more than $30 million in net outflows from their respective spot bitcoin products.

Nick Ruck, Research Director at LVRG Research, attributed the withdrawals primarily to tactical positioning rather than a structural change in market views. “Yesterday's $171 million outflow of spot bitcoin ETFs reflects short-term profit-taking, hedging due to macroeconomic uncertainty, and rotating capital amid broader market volatility rather than a substantial shift in long-term conviction,” he said.

Ruck added that institutional investors remain “cautiously optimistic” on crypto, citing ongoing interest in bitcoin and increasing acceptance of tokenized traditional assets. He noted that institutional sentiment is being shaped by macroeconomic factors, including the U.S.-Iran war and the resulting global oil shortage.

Spot Ethereum ETFs also experienced sustained pressure, recording $92.5 million in net outflows on Thursday. This extended their streak of negative flows to seven consecutive days, the longest such run since December of last year.

Ark Invest Trims ARKB and Crypto-Related Holdings Amid Broader Tech Sell-Off

Amid this institutional repositioning, Ark Invest executed a series of sales involving its Ark & 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) and other crypto-related holdings on Thursday. According to the firm’s trade filing, Ark offloaded 495,000 shares of ARKB, valued at approximately $11.2 million, across two of its funds.

The Cathie Wood-led firm also reduced positions in Bullish, selling shares worth $6.7 million, and in Block Inc., offloading $5.1 million. These trades coincided with a broader sell-off in major technology names, including Alphabet, Nvidia, and Meta.

Ark’s activity is consistent with its stated investment approach of actively rebalancing positions. The firm typically caps individual holdings at around 10% of a fund’s portfolio to maintain diversification, leading to periodic adjustments as market movements alter the relative size of positions.

FAQ

What was the total net outflow from U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs on Thursday?
The total net outflow from U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs on Thursday was $171.2 million across seven funds, the largest single-day outflow since March 6.

Which spot bitcoin ETF recorded the largest outflows?
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) recorded the largest outflows among spot bitcoin ETFs, with $41.9 million in net redemptions.

How did spot Ethereum ETFs perform in terms of flows?
Spot Ethereum ETFs saw $92.5 million in net outflows on Thursday, extending their streak of negative flows to seven consecutive days, the longest since last December.

Why did Ark Invest sell ARKB and other crypto-related stocks?
Ark Invest’s sales of ARKB, Bullish, and Block Inc. are part of its active rebalancing strategy, which includes capping individual holdings at around 10% of a fund’s portfolio and adjusting exposure as market movements change position weightings.