US spot bitcoin ETFs have turned net positive for 2026 for the first time since April, after a nearly $1 billion inflow day pushed the funds over the line. Bitcoin touched $87,395, its highest level since January, while spot Ether ETFs logged their best day since October 2025.
US spot bitcoin ETFs have wiped out this year's outflows, turning net positive for 2026 for the first time since April, according to Galaxy Research's Alex Thorn. The reversal followed a session of roughly $1 billion in net inflows, the largest single day of 2026. Bitcoin has followed the money, touching $87,395 this week, its highest level since January.
Inflows led by IBIT, ARKB and FBTC
SoSoValue data puts the session at Monday, September 21, at $998.95 million in net inflows. BlackRock's IBIT led with $381.4 million. Ark 21Shares' ARKB followed at $289.1 million. Fidelity's FBTC added $238.8 million, and Farside Investors had not yet confirmed the figures at the time of writing, so the daily totals remain provisional.
Bloomberg's own tally shows the ETF funds about $320 million in the black for the year. Roughly $4.6 billion has been added since August 19, when the US Treasury flagged increased buybacks of long-dated bonds. Bitcoin has gained about 35% since that date.
Ether ETFs post their best day since October
Demand has spread beyond bitcoin. Spot Ether ETFs took in about $270 million in the same session, their best day since October 2025, led by BlackRock's ETHA. Monday also extended the bitcoin funds' inflow streak to three sessions and lifted total net assets above $110 billion.
Shorts cleared, conviction still untested
Part of the rally reflects forced buying rather than fresh demand alone. Nearly $919 million in crypto short positions were liquidated during the surge, according to data cited by Investor's Business Daily.
That has pushed the average ETF holder back into profit. Bloomberg's James Seyffart estimates the average cost basis at about $81,722 per bitcoin. Pepperstone's Chris Weston puts the figure near $82,000, marking the first time the typical holder has been profitable since January. Weston does not see the return to breakeven as an obvious trigger for profit-taking.
A slide back below the $82,000 cost-basis zone would put the average holder underwater again and test how committed the new money is.
Source: investingLive
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