Tariff Tensions Trigger $755M Outflows from Ethereum and Bitcoin ETFs

Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs funds recorded combined outflows of $755 million on October 13. This comes as tariff tensions between the U.S. and China triggered risk-off sentiment across financial markets.

Ethereum ETFs bore the brunt with $428.52 million in net outflows, marking the third consecutive day of redemptions. Bitcoin ETFs contributed $326.52 million in outflows.

Ethereum ETFs Face Third Straight Day of Outflows

Ethereum spot ETFs recorded $428.52 million in net outflows on October 13. This has extended the redemption streak to three consecutive trading days.

Cumulative Ethereum ETF inflows declined to $14.48 billion from $15.08 billion on October 9. This is a $600 million reduction over the period.

Total Ethereum ETF assets under management fell to $28.75 billion with daily trading volume of $2.82 billion.

BlackRock’s ETHA led outflows with $310.13 million in redemptions, representing 72,890 ETH. ETHA maintains $14.18 billion in cumulative inflows.

Grayscale’s mini Ethereum trust ETH posted $49.67 million in outflows with 11,670 ETH redeemed. The smaller Grayscale vehicle faced proportionally larger redemptions relative to its asset base.

Grayscale’s legacy ETHE contributed $20.99 million in outflows, with 4,930 ETH redeemed, and maintains a cumulative loss of $4.60 billion from trust conversions.

Fidelity’s FETH recorded $19.12 million in redemptions and represents 4,490 ETH. The fund maintains $2.67 billion in cumulative inflows.

Bitwise’s ETHW posted $12.80 million in outflows with 3,010 ETH redeemed. VanEck’s ETHV added $9.34 million in redemptions while Franklin’s EZET contributed $6.46 million in outflows.

The three-day outflow streak shows total redemptions exceeding $600 million from October 9 to 13. The reversal follows strong early October performance when Ethereum ETFs attracted $488.27 million weekly from October 6-10.

Historical data shows October 10 posted $174.83 million in outflows following October 9’s modest $8.54 million redemptions.

Bitcoin ETFs Post $326.52M Outflows with IBIT Exception

Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded $326.52 million in net outflows on October 13, bringing cumulative inflows to $62.44 billion.

Total Bitcoin ETF assets under management declined to $157.18 billion from $158.96 billion on October 10. Daily trading volume also reached $6.63 billion.

BlackRock’s IBIT provided the sole bright spot with $60.36 million in net inflows, representing 522.11 Bitcoin.

The fund’s positive flows offset broader sector weakness and maintain its role as a preferred institutional vehicle.

Grayscale’s GBTC led redemptions with $145.39 million in outflows, representing 1,260 Bitcoin. The legacy fund maintains a negative $24.35 billion in cumulative flows since converting from a trust structure to an ETF.

Bitwise’s BITB recorded the second-largest outflow, at $115.64 million, with 1,000 Bitcoins redeemed. The fund maintains $2.37 billion in cumulative inflows.

Fidelity’s FBTC posted $93.28 million in outflows, with 806.90 Bitcoin redeemed, bringing cumulative flows to $12.61 billion. ARK 21Shares’ ARKB contributed $21.12 million in outflows, with 182.69 Bitcoin redeemed.

VanEck’s HODL added $11.44 million in redemptions, representing 98.98 Bitcoin. Multiple mid-tier products, including Grayscale’s mini BTC trust, BTCO, BRRR, EZBC, BTCW, and DEFI, reported zero net flows.

The $326.52 million October 13 outflow follows modest $4.50 million redemptions on October 10. Previous days showed strong accumulation with $197.68 million on October 9, $440.73 million on October 8, and $875.61 million on October 7.

Tariff Tensions Drive Institutional Risk Reduction

The combined $755 million crypto ETF outflows coincide with escalating U.S.-China trade tensions as tariff announcements caused broad market volatility.

Risk assets, including cryptocurrencies, faced selling pressure as investors moved to safer havens. The timing of maximum ETF outflows aligns with peak uncertainty around trade policy direction.

Bitcoin and Ethereum both declined from early October highs established before tariff concerns intensified. Bitcoin retreated from $123,000 to trade around $104,000. Ethereum pulled back from above $4,300 to consolidate around $3,700.

Trading volumes remained elevated during the outflow period and shows active repositioning rather than frozen markets. Bitcoin ETF daily volume of $6.63 billion and Ethereum volume of $2.82 billion both exceed typical ranges.

The outflows reduced total crypto ETF assets under management by approximately $10 billion from early October peaks above $195 billion. The decline is roughly 5% of total assets.