The inflow into Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has experienced an impressive surge, reaching a new milestone on December 12. Bitcoin ETFs saw a significant increase of nearly 168%, pushing total net inflows to surpass $35 billion for the first time. This surge marks an 11-day streak of continuous inflows, reflecting growing investor confidence in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as viable investment options.
1. Crypto Everywhere: A Growing Trend
The rise of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has also impacted various industries, including the iGaming sector and online casinos. Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin have become popular payment methods in online gambling due to their security, low fees, and ability to offer fast cross-border transactions. Players and operators alike appreciate the privacy of digital currencies, for example, at a crypto casino, no KYC checks are required when signing up. It’s a more discreet way to engage in transactions than traditional payment methods while retaining all of the benefits of an online casino.
The video gaming industry has seen a rise in play-to-earn games that all accept crypto as payments, have their unique cryptocurrencies made, and/or even provide various crypto as a form of reward and payment for the best gamers. The global play-to-earn games market size was $1.35 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $6.32 billion by 2032, so we will see how this rising trend unfolds.
2. Bitcoin ETF Inflows Hit Record High
According to data from SoSoValue, Bitcoin ETFs saw $597.57 million in inflows on December 12, significantly higher than the $223.03 million from the previous day. This nearly 168% increase is a notable leap in the market, bringing total net inflows into Bitcoin ETFs to $35.17 billion, a record figure. The trend of inflows has continued consistently for several weeks, signaling that institutional investors are increasingly adopting Bitcoin as part of their portfolios.
Many of these inflows have been directed toward BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which saw $431.6 million in new investments. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has seen its total net flows reach $35.49 billion since the fund’s inception, further solidifying its position in the growing Bitcoin investment space.
3. Grayscale’s GBTC Fund Sees Outflows
Despite the overall positive momentum in the Bitcoin ETF market, Grayscale’s GBTC fund was the exception, reporting outflows of $48.4 million on December 12. This was the only fund to experience a negative net flow on the day. However, this did not overshadow the overall growth in Bitcoin ETFs, as most funds continued to see a steady rise in investor interest.
4. Bitcoin Trading Volumes and Price Movements
The total trading volume for Bitcoin ETFs on December 12 reached $3.15 billion, after previously topping 3 trillion, but is now slightly down from the previous day’s $3.97 billion. Bitcoin was trading at $99,985 per coin at the time of the report, reflecting a minor 0.7% decline from the previous day. Despite the slight dip in price, the significant increase in ETF inflows demonstrates a positive outlook from investors focused on long-term growth rather than short-term price fluctuations.
5. Ethereum ETF Inflows Rise Sharply
Ethereum ETFs have also witnessed impressive inflows, with a reported $273.67 million on December 12, marking a 168% increase compared to the previous day. BlackRock’s ETHA fund captured the largest share of this growth, attracting $202.31 million in investments. Other Ethereum-focused funds, including Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust and Fidelity’s FETH, also saw substantial inflows.
6. Ethereum Price and Market Trends
At the time of reporting, Ethereum was trading at $3,917 per coin, showing little movement from the previous day’s price. While Bitcoin continues to dominate the cryptocurrency space, Ethereum’s position as the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization is further solidified by the rise in its ETF inflows, indicating strong investor sentiment and belief in its long-term value.
