Bitcoin ETFs Hold Strong as Ethereum, Solana, and XRP Fund Inflows Cool

US-listed Bitcoin ETFs continued to attract capital in the week ending September 4, even as inflows into Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Hyperliquid products dropped sharply.

Bitcoin ETFs recorded $986.9 million in net inflows, up 6.7% from the previous week, according to SoSoValue data. By comparison, inflows into the four major altcoin ETF groups fell between 73% and 96%.

The divergence suggests institutional demand remains more resilient for Bitcoin, while interest in newer crypto ETF products has slowed after a strong late August run.

Bitcoin ETF Inflows Stay Resilient

Bitcoin ETFs attracted $986.9 million during the five trading days through September 4, compared with $924.5 million in the previous week.

That increase came despite lower trading activity. Bitcoin ETF turnover fell to around $14.5 billion, from nearly $19 billion the week before.

The stronger inflows also extend the trend seen during August, when Bitcoin ETFs recorded their best monthly performance of 2026 as Bitcoin gained roughly 25%.

Related: Bitcoin ETFs notch best month of 2026 as BTC gains 25%

Altcoin ETF Demand Slows Sharply

The picture was very different for the other major crypto ETF products.

Solana ETFs attracted just $6.2 million during the week ending September 4, down from $153.9 million the previous week.

XRP ETFs brought in $19 million, compared with $110.5 million a week earlier, while Hyperliquid products attracted $12.3 million versus $56.9 million.

Ethereum ETF inflows also weakened significantly after a strong previous week.

Importantly, none of the five asset groups recorded a net weekly outflow. The data therefore points to slowing demand rather than widespread capital withdrawals.

The decline is particularly notable for XRP, which has continued to attract institutional interest even as broader crypto markets have become more cautious. Our recent article on XRP futures and CME's growing share of open interest highlighted how institutional positioning in regulated XRP markets has been increasing even as total futures exposure declined.

Prices Barely Moved Despite the Flow Shift

ETF flows did not translate into major price moves during the period.

Bitcoin gained 2.58% over the five trading days through September 4, while Ethereum rose 1.09%. XRP advanced 3.02%, and Hyperliquid gained 5.76%.

Solana was the weakest performer, rising just 0.18%.

The limited price reaction suggests that ETF flows alone were not strong enough to produce a major breakout across the market.

Bitcoin nevertheless opened Friday at its highest level since May 12, helped by expectations around Federal Reserve policy and comments from Fed Governor Christopher Waller.

Jobs Data Complicates the Fed Outlook

The final day of the flow period brought another important macroeconomic signal.

The August employment report showed payrolls increasing by 162,000, compared with forecasts near 53,000. The stronger-than-expected figure pushed traders to increase bets on a Federal Reserve rate hike this month.

That creates a more complicated environment for crypto ETFs.

Bitcoin ETF inflows had strengthened following a dovish interpretation of Waller's comments, but stronger employment data could reinforce expectations for tighter monetary policy and reduce appetite for risk assets.

The next major test comes with the August inflation report on September 11.

If inflation shows signs of cooling, the recent Bitcoin ETF inflows could receive another boost. A hotter-than-expected reading, however, could reinforce the cautious positioning already visible across altcoin products.

Bitcoin Is Still the Institutional Favorite

The latest ETF data highlights a clear difference between Bitcoin and the newer crypto investment products.

While Ethereum, Solana, XRP and Hyperliquid ETFs all remain in positive territory, their inflows have become much more sensitive to short-term market conditions.

Bitcoin, meanwhile, continued to attract nearly $1 billion even as trading activity declined.

For now, the ETF market is showing continued institutional demand for Bitcoin rather than a broad-based acceleration into crypto assets. The September inflation report may determine whether that demand expands or whether the wider slowdown in altcoin ETF inflows becomes more pronounced.