- Institutional crypto demand surges as Bitcoin ETFs add 2,494 BTC and Ethereum ETFs attract 27,202 ETH, led by BlackRock inflows.
- Ethereum’s dominance rises to 9.75%, with ETF inflows and altcoin gains signaling a shift toward higher beta assets in the crypto market.
- ETH/BTC bounces off key support at 0.02 BTC, hinting at tactical rotation despite a macro downtrend since its 2021 peak of 0.088 BTC.
Ten spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded net inflows of 2,494 BTC ($254.91 million) on May 15, with Ethereum ETFs pulling in 27,202 ETH ($68.66 million), signaling increased institutional demand. BlackRock’s iShares continues to dominate ETF flows, fueling a broader shift in crypto market structure as Ethereum begins to outperform.
BlackRock’s Bitcoin and Ethereum Funds Lead Institutional Activity
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led ETF inflows with 2,250 BTC ($229.96M) in one day, raising its total to 627,986 BTC ($64.19B). Fidelity’s FBTC added 349 BTC, ARK’s ARKB 50 BTC, while Grayscale’s GBTC saw an 88 BTC outflow, continuing its capital exit trend.
Ethereum ETFs also drew strong interest. iShares Ethereum Trust gained 22,097 ETH ($55.77M), pushing holdings to 1.28M ETH ($3.23B). Grayscale’s Mini Trust added 2,729 ETH, Fidelity’s ETH Fund 2,248 ETH, while Grayscale’s ETHE saw a 77 ETH daily outflow and 4,448 ETH weekly.
Total Bitcoin ETF holdings stand at 1.17M BTC, and Ethereum ETFs hold 3.47M ETH. Weekly net inflows hit 6,261 BTC and 19,984 ETH, signaling rising institutional demand for crypto diversification.
Market Dominance Trends Support Ethereum and Altcoin Rotation
ETH ETF inflows coincided with notable shifts in market dominance. Bitcoin’s market share dropped from 64.4% to 61.6%, while Ethereum’s rose to 9.75%, up over 3%. Altcoins also gained, with their share increasing from 20.35% to 22.35%, driven by ETH’s outperformance and speculation on ETF approvals.
Stablecoin dominance held steady at 10%, continuing to anchor liquidity. Analysts suggest these trends indicate a shift toward higher beta assets, prompting firms to reassess allocations across layer-1 networks and DeFi protocols. While BTC remains dominant, inflow data and strength metrics favor ETH and select altcoins in the short term.
ETH/BTC Pair Signals Market Memory Near Key Support
Ethereum’s relative strength is reflected in the ETH/BTC pair, which bounced sharply after hitting a long-term support zone. The pair bottomed near 0.02 BTC in early 2025 before rebounding to 0.02482 BTC. This level matches a historical accumulation range from mid-2020 that preceded ETH’s major rally.
Despite the recovery, the ETH/BTC chart remains in a macro downtrend after falling 72% from its 0.088 BTC high in late 2021. The current monthly candle shows a strong wick rejection from support, hinting at a technical reaction. Resistance stands at 0.049 BTC, with rotation into ETH seen as tactical for now.
