US-based spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded their biggest-ever two-week outflow as investor sentiment was pressured by ongoing trade tensions between the US and China.
US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded over $1.14 billion worth of cumulative net Bitcoin (BTC) outflows in the two weeks leading up to Feb. 21, Sosovalue data shows.
The sell-off marked the highest two-week period of withdrawals from Bitcoin ETFs since they began trading on Jan. 11, 2024.
The recent selling edged past the second-largest period of outflows in the two weeks leading up to June 21, 2024, when the Bitcoin ETFs saw $1.12 billion worth of outflows while Bitcoin’s price was trading at around $64,000.
US Bitcoin ETF net inflow, weekly, all-time chart. Source: Sosovalue
ETF flows are a “great indicator” of Bitcoin sentiment among the world’s largest asset management firms, according to Marcin Kazmierczak, co-founder and chief operating officer of RedStone, a blockchain oracle solutions firm.
Still, the long-term purchasing patterns of Bitcoin ETFs provide a more accurate picture, Kazmierczak told Cointelegraph, adding:
“We’re looking at a monthly timeframe, which doesn’t provide the full picture. ETFs are generally considered long-term investment vehicles, so analyzing flows over a six-month or yearly period gives a more meaningful perspective.”
“When zooming out, we see that net flows have been overwhelmingly positive in the longer term,” he said.
Related: Bitcoin should be studied, not feared, says Czech central bank head
The record two-week sell-off from the Bitcoin ETFs may be largely attributed to ongoing trade tensions between the US and China after new import tariffs were announced. Investors are still waiting for US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, aimed at resolving trade tensions.
Trump said he expects Xi to visit the US and added that “it’s possible” for the US and China to broker a new trade deal, but gave no timeline for the potential visit, Reuters reported on Feb. 20.
Related: BlackRock Bitcoin ETF surpasses 50% market share despite 3-day sell-off
Bitcoin ETF flows also pressured by monetary policy, interest rate expectations
While global trade tensions were a significant contributor to the Bitcoin ETF sell-off, they were not the only significant factor influencing investor sentiment, said Kazmierczak, adding:
“There are many moving pieces, including interest rate expectations, regulatory developments, and overall market sentiment, that play a role."
Still, “large players remain invested despite short-term outflows,” said Kazmierczak, adding that the Abu Dhabi Sovereign Wealth Fund and Wisconsin’s Pension Fund both hold “sizable BTC positions through ETFs” despite the recent selling pressure.
Magazine: BTC above $150K is ‘speculative fever,’ SAB 121 canceled, and more: Hodlers Digest, Jan. 19 – 25