Bitcoin ETF flows remain positive despite $774M in late outflows

On October 23, 2026, Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded late outflows of $774 million, according to preliminary data, while maintaining a positive weekly balance. This resilience contrasts with the negative performance of Ether ETFs, highlighting a growing divergence between the two primary cryptographic assets, with implications for institutional flow dynamics and market stability. Context Bitcoin and Ether ETFs, launched in the United States in 2024 after years of regulatory debate, have become preferred vehicles for institutional investors seeking exposure to crypto-assets without holding them directly. These funds, listed on stock exchanges like shares, replicate the performance of the underlying assets and allow for increased liquidity. Since their introduction, they have attracted billions of dollars in capital, reflecting a gradual adoption by traditional asset managers. In October 2026, the crypto-asset market is undergoing a consolidation phase after a period of high volatility. Bitcoin, often perceived as a digital store of value, is resisting better than Ether, whose fundamentals are more closely linked to the ecosystem of decentralized applications (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFT). Preliminary data for the week of October 23 reveal selling pressure on Ether ETFs, while Bitcoin flows, although marked by late redemptions, remain overall positive. The Facts According to preliminary data published by the ETF research firm, Bitcoin funds recorded late outflows of $774 million during the week of October 23, 2026. Despite these redemptions, the net weekly flow balance remains positive, a performance that contrasts with that of Ether ETFs, which were in negative territory over the same period. Figures for Friday, October 25, remain incomplete, leaving uncertainty regarding the final balance for the week. Late outflows correspond to transactions carried out after the official closing of the daily flow tracking, often linked to portfolio adjustments at the end of the week. The Bitcoin mempool , which groups transactions awaiting validation, had 48,550 transactions at block 972,875, with average fees of 0.141 sat/vB (satoshi per virtual byte), according to source data. These indicators suggest stable network activity, without major congestion. On the Ethereum network, gas fees amounted to 0.028 gwei (transaction fee unit of measurement), a level considered low, reflecting moderate pricing pressure. According to CryptoScore Pro data as of October 25, 2026, at 06:04 UTC, the price of Bitcoin stood at 80,472 dollars, down 0.17% over 24 hours and 1.46% over seven days. Its market capitalization reached 1,620 billion dollars, with a 24-hour trading volume of 20.49 billion dollars. Ether, for its part, was worth 2,347.26 dollars, down 1.07% over 24 hours and 2.64% over seven days, with a capitalization of 286.94 billion dollars and a volume of 8.79 billion dollars. The Crypto Fear & Greed index, which measures investor sentiment, showed a score of 54 out of 100 (neutral) on October 25, 2026. No information was disclosed regarding the specific reasons for the late outflows from Bitcoin ETFs, nor about the actors behind these movements. Understanding Key Concepts ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) An ETF is an exchange-traded investment fund designed to replicate the performance of an underlying asset or index, such as Bitcoin or Ether. Unlike a traditional fund, it is bought and sold in real-time on the markets, like a stock. For example, a Bitcoin ETF allows an investor to expose their portfolio to the price of Bitcoin without holding it directly, thus avoiding the storage and security constraints associated with crypto-assets. Inflows and Outflows Inflows refer to the capital invested in an ETF, while outflows correspond to the redemption of shares by investors. These movements reflect the confidence or mistrust of market participants. For example, massive inflows into a Bitcoin ETF can indicate increased demand for the asset, while outflows suggest a disengagement. Late outflows, such as those observed during the week of October 23, occur after the official closing of daily data and may reflect strategic adjustments. Mempool and Transaction Fees The mempool (memory pool of pending transactions) is a temporary area where unconfirmed transactions on a blockchain, such as Bitcoin, are stored before being validated by miners. The more congested the mempool, the higher the transaction fees, as users must outbid each other to have their transactions processed with priority. Fees are expressed in sat/vB (satoshi per virtual byte) for Bitcoin and in gwei (one billionth of an Ether) for Ethereum. For example, a fee of 0.141 sat/vB indicates a moderate cost for a Bitcoin transaction. Market Capitalization The market capitalization of a crypto-asset represents its total market value, calculated by multiplying its price by the number of units in circulation. For example, with a price of 80,472 dollars and approximately 20.13 million Bitcoins in circulation (according to available data), Bitcoin's capitalization amounts to 1.62 trillion dollars. This indicator allows for the comparison of the relative size of assets and their market dominance. Analysis: what is at stake The central mechanism to understand is simple: the net balance of ETF flows corresponds to the difference between subscriptions (purchases of fund shares, which compel the issuer to acquire the underlying asset) and redemptions (which lead the issuer to sell). According to preliminary data cited by NewsBTC, Bitcoin funds experienced approximately $774M in late outflows during the week of October 23, 2026, but still recorded a net weekly gain. This means that subscriptions during the period exceeded these redemptions, reflecting institutional and retail demand that remains, on balance, oriented toward buying. For the asset itself, the expected effect is an absorption of supply: positive net flows support liquidity and limit…