Bitcoin ETFs Drive $1.2B Surge

Bitcoin-stacking companies spent $1.2 billion last week accumulating bitcoin, with Japanese firm Metaplanet leading the purchases by adding 5,258 bitcoin. Overall, these treasury companies bought over 6,700 bitcoin, but analysts suggest that the major driver of bitcoin’s new all-time high was the inflows into Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Spot bitcoin ETFs reported net inflows of $3.24 billion last week, nearly matching their previous record, which helped bitcoin spike to over $125,000 on Saturday.

Analysts note that ETF inflows, tight exchange supply, a weaker US dollar, and macro uncertainty reinforced the bullish momentum for bitcoin. Institutions are purchasing more bitcoin than miners can generate, with businesses and ETFs acquiring over 3,000 bitcoin per day combined, surpassing the daily mining output.

Matt Poblocki from Binance Australia highlighted that the market is consolidating around blue-chip assets like bitcoin, reflecting long-term stability. This rally is seen as a structural shift in bitcoin’s market, with institutional adoption and ETF inflows cementing bitcoin’s mainstream role. Analysts also suggest that new crypto ETF approvals may spark further altcoin seasons, while bitcoin remains the primary focus.

Crypto analyst Will Clemente emphasized that ETF inflows, rather than treasury company purchases, drove bitcoin’s recent surge. Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Eric Balchunas noted bitcoin’s all-time high followed a week of wild ETF inflows exceeding $3.3 billion. The fourth-quarter outlook for bitcoin depends on institutional adoption, shrinking supply, regulatory clarity, and macro tailwinds.

Executives like Michael Saylor predict that bitcoin will gain further momentum toward the year’s end, driven by corporate and institutional interest. Bitcoin ETFs currently hold over 1.5 million bitcoin, representing 7.2% of the total supply, while corporate treasuries own over 1.4 million bitcoin, totaling 6.6% of supply. Analysts expect ETF inflows and institutional buying to continue fueling bitcoin’s rallies, highlighting bitcoin as a key hedge against fiat currency depreciation and a primary asset for long-term investors. In total, bitcoin is repeatedly mentioned as a core financial asset, with its adoption, trading, and accumulation central to ongoing market discussions.