Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have seen strong inflows in 2026 as Matrixport analysts point to renewed investor appetite as a consequence of the brand new yr's “clean slate effect.”
According to data from Farside Investors, US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $697 million in inflows on the second trading day of 2026 on Tuesday and brought in over $1.1 billion in net inflows in the primary two days of the brand new yr.
The renewed inflows are a welcome sign for Bitcoin (BTC) holders after two consecutive months of net outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs. According to data from Sosovalue, the funds recorded outflows of $3.48 billion in November and $1.09 billion in December.
Inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs have been the important thing driver of Bitcoin's momentum in 2025, Geoff Kendrick, global head of digital asset research at Standard Chartered, recently told Cointelegraph.
Bitcoin ETF flows, in USD million. Source: Farside Investors
As for other crypto funds, spot Ether (ETH) ETFs recorded $168 million on Monday, marking the second straight day of inflows. According to Farside Investors, Spot Solana (SOL) ETFs attracted $16.8 million in investments and recorded 20 days of consecutive inflows.
Renewed demand for crypto ETFs reflects a “rebalancing phase” driven by geopolitical risks and “liquidity positioning” as fundamental market drivers remain “constructive” despite increased uncertainty, in response to Lacie Zhang, research analyst at Bitget Wallet.
The renewed ETF inflows and growing stablecoin supply signal that “institutional buyers are absorbing supply and supporting a near-term recovery,” Zhang told Cointelegraph, adding:
“In this setup, Bitcoin has room to rise toward $105,000, while Ethereum could test $3,600 as traders weigh inflation risks with the deflationary nature of cryptocurrencies and long-term adoption history.”
Demand within the crypto market is increasing as a consequence of the “clean slate effect” of the brand new yr
Meanwhile, a report from crypto platform Matrixport highlighted the brand new yr's “clean slate effect” that allowed cryptocurrency markets to reset as $30 billion in leverage was shed from Bitcoin and Ether futures since October's $19 billion market crash.
“As we enter 2026, positioning is much leaner, speculative excess has been flushed out, and without the burden of crowded trades, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies now have room to follow their natural trajectory, which could well be higher,” Matrixport wrote in a Monday X post.
Source: Matrixport
Nevertheless, probably the most successful traders within the industry by way of returns, who’re considered “smart money” traders by Nansen, proceed to bet on the value decline of Bitcoin.
According to crypto intelligence platform Nansen, smart money traders recorded $108 million in net short positions on Bitcoin, with nearly $19 million in net short positions added within the last 24 hours.
Smart money traders lead perpetual futures positions on hyperliquid. Source: Nansen
However, the cohort was net-long Ether price at $712 million and XRP (XRP) at $83 million, signaling bullish expectations for these coins.
