According to BlockBeats, analyst James Van Straten reported on December 4 that since November 20, there has been a reduction of nearly 30,000 BTC in open interest at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). During the same period, U.S. spot-listed ETFs have experienced net inflows exceeding $3 billion. This unusual data suggests that U.S. spot ETFs are increasingly being used for pure directional investments rather than arbitrage strategies.
James Van Straten explained that since the launch of ETFs in January, institutional investors have primarily used them to implement a strategy involving long positions in ETFs and short positions in CME futures. This opposing positioning allows institutional investors to earn futures premiums while hedging against price risks. This is why ETF inflows and CME open interest often move in tandem. The recent divergence in these trends indicates a shift in investment strategies, with more investors opting for direct exposure through ETFs rather than engaging in complex arbitrage manoeuvres.
