Crypto markets came under renewed pressure this week as exchange-traded fund (ETF) investors pulled capital across major digital assets, coinciding with a broader shift toward risk-off positioning in global markets.
Data from January 20 shows that Bitcoin ETFs recorded sharp net outflows, marking one of the weakest single days for institutional demand this month. Ethereum products followed a similar path, while Solana stood out as the only major asset still attracting fresh inflows.
Key Takeaways
Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs saw strong outflows as prices fell below key levels.
Solana ETFs showed relative strength with small net inflows.
Risk-off sentiment and trade tensions are pushing investors toward gold and silver.
The divergence highlights how investor behavior is changing amid rising geopolitical uncertainty and renewed trade tensions between the United States and Europe.
Bitcoin ETFs see heavy withdrawals as price slips below $90,000
Bitcoin ETFs posted significant net outflows on January 20, reflecting broad-based selling across nearly all major products. Large funds that had absorbed strong inflows earlier in the month reversed course, pushing total daily flows deep into negative territory.
The selling pressure coincided with Bitcoin breaking below the $90,000 level, where it is currently trading around $89,000. Over the past week, Bitcoin has fallen roughly 6%, signaling growing caution among institutional participants who had previously driven the rally.
Ethereum follows with steeper losses
Ethereum ETFs also experienced notable outflows on the same day, extending a pattern of weakness seen throughout mid-January.
The pullback pushed Ether below the $3,000 mark, with the asset now down approximately 11% over the past week.
Compared to Bitcoin, Ethereum’s decline has been more pronounced, reflecting both broader market stress and fading short-term appetite for higher-beta crypto exposure during periods of uncertainty.
Solana bucks the trend with relative strength
In contrast, Solana ETFs recorded modest but consistent net inflows, outperforming both Bitcoin and Ethereum on a relative basis.
While Solana’s price has still declined to around $127, the ETF flow data suggests that some investors continue to view it as a longer-term growth opportunity despite market volatility.
Even so, Solana has not been immune to the broader selloff, posting losses of more than 12% over the past seven days.
Risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitics and trade fears
The pullback across crypto markets appears closely linked to a broader shift away from risk assets. Escalating geopolitical tensions and renewed tariff threats from US President Donald Trump toward the European Union have revived concerns about a fresh trade conflict, unsettling global markets.
As investors reassess exposure to volatile assets, capital has flowed out of cryptocurrencies and into traditional safe havens.
Gold and silver shine as safe-haven demand grows
While crypto assets struggled, precious metals continued to surge. Gold and silver have both pushed to fresh highs, extending what has already become a historic rally in 2025. The steady rise in metal prices reflects growing demand for assets perceived as protection against geopolitical risk, inflation uncertainty, and policy instability.
The contrast between weakening crypto ETF flows and strengthening precious metals underscores how quickly investor sentiment can shift during periods of macro stress.
For now, market participants appear focused on capital preservation rather than growth, leaving digital assets vulnerable until broader risk appetite returns.
