- Bitcoin ETFs added 1,894 BTC, led by BlackRock’s IBIT, as institutional accumulation supports BTC near resistance levels.
- Ethereum ETFs saw mixed flows, with ETHA gaining 32,995 ETH weekly while FETH posted steep daily outflows of 12,488 ETH.
- ETH/BTC rebounded 38% from five-year lows, sparking alt-season speculation, but it remains below its 365-day SMA resistance.
Bitcoin ETF inflows surged while Ethereum funds posted mixed performance, coinciding with ETH/BTC’s rebound off five-year lows. BlackRock’s IBIT led flows for the 19th straight day as traders rotated toward BTC amid institutional accumulation.
ETF Leaders Push Bitcoin Exposure Higher
Bitcoin ETFs added 1,894 BTC in daily net inflows on May 16, bringing total holdings to 1,177,373 BTC. In a post by Lookonchain, iShares’ IBIT led with 3,977 BTC added daily and 10,362 BTC weekly, holding $65.5 billion in assets. Meanwhile, Fidelity’s FBTC and ARKB saw modest weekly outflows, with GBTC continuing to reduce exposure, losing 1,009 BTC weekly.
Bitwise’s BITB and Vaneck’s HODL showed positive inflows despite smaller holdings, while Franklin’s EZBC added 57 BTC weekly. ETF accumulation continues to support BTC’s price structure, even as daily volatility narrows. As institutions rotate capital, elevated volumes near resistance indicate ongoing reaccumulation by funds preparing for the next breakout leg.
Ethereum ETFs diverged, shedding 9,246 ETH daily but gaining 19,858 ETH weekly, largely led by ETHA. Grayscale’s ETHE and Fidelity’s FETH posted steep daily losses, while ETHA absorbed 3,330 ETH daily and 32,995 ETH weekly. ETH ETF sentiment remains cautious, contrasting with Bitcoin’s strong inflow persistence.
Institutional Rotation Reveals Clear Bias
The momentum shift into Bitcoin ETFs underscores rising preference for BTC exposure. According to a reply by Alva, BlackRock’s IBIT has now overtaken gold ETFs in assets under management, signaling institutional conviction. Strategic objectives remain focused on low-fee BTC access, deep liquidity, and robust custody via Coinbase Prime and JPMorgan-linked banks.
ETF pauses on May 16 suggest profit-taking or consolidation, but BlackRock’s dominance remains clear. ETH ETFs, however, continue facing sell pressure despite May’s early inflows, revealing a risk-off pivot by key allocators. Fidelity’s 12,488 ETH daily outflow reflects the sharpest reversal, reinforcing BTC’s edge in current allocation models.
ETH/BTC Chart Bounce Signals Altseason Risk Window
The ETH/BTC pair has surged 38% from May’s five-year low near 0.04, sparking fresh speculation on rotation flows. Market expert CW stated that ETF-driven accumulation and reduced sell pressure could mark the early phase of an altseason. The ratio’s rebound from historical support matches prior pivots from 2019 and 2020, offering technical confluence.
Despite the bounce, ETH/BTC remains below its 365-day SMA, limiting broader Ethereum bullish narratives. The chart’s recent green arrow signals a short-term reversal, but BTC dominance persists structurally. If ETF flows remain unbalanced, the ETH/BTC recovery could stall at resistance unless volume dynamics shift.
