US spot crypto ETFs saw another heavy outflow session on January 9, extending a streak of persistent selling pressure that has dominated the first full trading week of 2026.
Net flows across all listed spot crypto ETFs dropped by $337.22 million, driven almost entirely by continued redemptions in Bitcoin and Ethereum products.
Key takeaways
US spot crypto ETFs posted $337.22 million in net outflows on January 9.
Bitcoin ETFs sold the equivalent of six days of mined supply in a single session.
Ethereum ETFs continued to see heavy redemptions alongside Bitcoin.
Selective inflows into XRP, LINK, LTC, and HBAR point to tactical reallocations, not a full market exit.
Bitcoin ETFs led the downside, shedding 2,750 BTC, equivalent to roughly $250 million in a single session. Ethereum products followed with even steeper relative pressure, recording outflows of 30,205 ETH, or close to $94 million. Combined, the two largest crypto ETFs accounted for the vast majority of the day’s negative flows, reinforcing the view that institutional investors are actively de-risking rather than rotating between majors.
Bitcoin ETFs absorb sustained selling pressure
The latest data shows Bitcoin ETFs have now sold around 14,900 BTC over the past four trading days, representing approximately $1.38 billion in value. Cumulative net outflows from US spot ETFs over the same period have reached $1.56 billion, underscoring the scale and consistency of the drawdown.
One of the most striking data points from the session is that Bitcoin ETF selling alone absorbed the equivalent of roughly six days of newly mined BTC supply in just one day. This imbalance between natural supply creation and institutional selling highlights why price recoveries have struggled to gain traction despite periods of intraday stabilization.
Altcoin ETFs show selective inflows
While majors remained under pressure, smaller spot ETFs told a more nuanced story. XRP ETFs recorded net inflows of $4.93 million, while Chainlink, Litecoin, and HBAR products also posted modest gains. These inflows, though small in absolute terms, suggest selective allocation into higher-beta or narrative-driven assets rather than broad-based crypto exposure.
Notably, Solana and Dogecoin ETFs registered zero net flows, indicating a pause rather than an outright risk-on rotation into alternative assets.
What the flow data signals for markets
The persistence of ETF outflows points to institutional caution rather than panic. The steady pace of redemptions suggests portfolio rebalancing, profit-taking, or reduced risk tolerance at the start of the year, rather than forced liquidations. However, as long as Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs continue to see net selling, upside momentum in the broader crypto market is likely to remain capped.
At the same time, isolated inflows into select altcoin ETFs hint that investors are not exiting crypto entirely. Instead, capital appears to be moving more tactically, favoring smaller allocations and specific narratives while reducing exposure to large, benchmark-style products.
