The cryptocurrency investment market regained momentum last week, with Ethereum taking the lead over Bitcoin. Digital asset exchange-traded products (ETPs) drew a total of $572 million in net inflows, recovering from the previous week’s pause that ended a 15-week streak of consistent gains worth $27.8 billion.
The week began on a weaker note. CoinShares reported that outflows reached $1 billion in the early days, driven by concerns over slowing US economic growth following disappointing payroll data. These withdrawals were later overshadowed by a surge in demand after a major policy update in the United States.
Toward the end of the week, investment flows turned around, climbing to $1.57 billion after US authorities signaled that 401(k) retirement plans could include digital assets. This policy shift paved the way for increased retirement fund participation and coincided with gains in major cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum, which reached $4,000 on Friday for the first time since December 2024.
CoinShares reported that trading activity in digital asset ETPs fell by 23% from the prior month, a dip they linked to the typically slower summer season.
Ethereum led cryptocurrency inflows last week, attracting $268 million in fresh capital. James Butterfill, CoinShares’ head of research, noted this brought total inflows for 2025 to a new high. At the same time, assets under management increased significantly since January, reaching $32.6 billion.
Derivatives data also highlighted Ethereum’s growing market activity. Glassnode reported that open interest in ETH options reached $13.75 billion, the highest level in 2025 so far and just short of the $14.6 billion peak recorded in March 2024. This surge signals increased trading activity in Ethereum derivatives, matching the recent upward movement in its price.
Bitcoin, which had experienced two weeks of consecutive outflows, saw renewed investor interest. Weekly inflows reached $260 million, while products betting against Bitcoin recorded $4 million in outflows, reflecting reduced bearish sentiment.
Other altcoins also attracted capital, here is how much they gained:
Among ETP providers, BlackRock’s iShares crypto ETF led the week in results. The company drew $294 million in inflows, although this was a 61% drop from the $749 million gained the week before. The firm’s crypto assets under management closed the week at $98.9 billion, placing it within reach of the $100 billion mark.
Meanwhile, Grayscale reported $87 million in inflows, with total assets under management at $35.4 billion. Bitwise posted a slightly higher figure of $95 million. Fidelity moved in the opposite direction, recording $55 million in outflows from its cryptocurrency products.
CoinShares revealed that the United States led with $608 million in inflows last week, followed by Canada with $16.5 million. In contrast, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland together posted outflows totaling $54.3 million. Overall, the week’s data still reflects strong investor appetite for Ethereum, which continues to lead in attracting new capital.
