Bitcoin ETFs Soar to Near $100 Billion in August, But September Brings Warning Signs
US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) had their strongest month of 2026 in August, but September started off on a sour note. The funds attracted $3.52 billion in net inflows during August, up significantly from the previous month's $172 million. This surge was largely driven by Bitcoin's 25% gain, its best monthly performance since November 2024.
The influx of fresh capital pushed total assets held by the funds to nearly $100 billion, with a 31% increase in net assets and a 49% rise in trading volume. However, the momentum was short-lived as September saw an outflow of $236.46 million on its first day, reversing the previous session's inflow.
The sharp reversal raised concerns about the funds' performance, with BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) accounting for most of the selling, losing $201.18 million or 85% of the day's total outflows. Fidelity's FBTC lost another $43.67 million, while Bitwise's BITB attracted $8.38 million.