Bitcoin ETF investors are accelerating their withdrawals, adding to the selling pressure that has pushed the cryptocurrency below $70,000. The decline sent BTC to its lowest level since August on Friday, as institutional demand continued to weaken.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs listed in the United States, widely regarded as a measure of institutional interest in Bitcoin, have experienced a dramatic reversal in capital flows. SoSoValue data analyzed by CoinDesk shows that the funds have recorded $1.56 billion in net withdrawals so far in 2026, putting their year-to-date flows firmly in negative territory.
The shift happened within a matter of days. As recently as October 29, the funds had accumulated approximately $1.01 billion in net inflows for the year. However, investors withdrew $643.3 million on October 30, cutting the cumulative inflow figure to just $368 million.
The outflow trend intensified over the following weeks. Bitcoin ETFs registered $643.6 million in withdrawals through Thursday this week. That followed $1.28 billion in net outflows during the previous week and another $202.6 million in the week before.
With these withdrawals, 2026 has now recorded 12 weeks in which Bitcoin ETFs experienced more than $500 million in weekly net outflows. The comparable figures were 15 weeks in 2025 and just four weeks in 2024.
The withdrawal pattern could set a new annual record if it continues. Another four weeks of outflows exceeding $500 million during the final six weeks of 2026 would push the total number of such weeks beyond the previous records.
The situation contrasts sharply with the strong demand Bitcoin ETFs attracted over the previous two years. The funds generated $35.24 billion in net inflows in 2024, followed by another $21.37 billion in 2025.
The latest wave of redemptions is coinciding with Bitcoin’s broader price weakness. Continued institutional withdrawals are reducing an important source of market demand, making it harder for buyers to absorb selling pressure. This loss of ETF support has become another significant factor behind Bitcoin’s slide below $70,000.
