US Spot Bitcoin ETFs See $5B Inflows in January, Projected to Surpass $50B in 2024: Bitwise CIO

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. recorded nearly $5 billion in inflows during January 2025, signaling a strong start that could propel them to exceed $50 billion by the end of the year, according to Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan.

In a post on X, Hougan highlighted that spot Bitcoin ETFs absorbed $4.94 billion in January alone, an annualized pace of approximately $59 billion. This is a significant jump compared to $35.2 billion in total inflows during 2024, reflecting growing investor interest in Bitcoin-backed investment products.

Despite potential month-to-month fluctuations, Hougan expressed confidence that Bitcoin ETFs would surpass $50 billion in inflows by the close of 2024.

Major Players in the Market
Among the leading ETFs, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) dominated with $3.2 billion in net inflows for January. Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) followed with $1.3 billion, according to data from Farside Investors.

Other notable ETFs include Grayscale’s Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF (BTC), which pulled in $398.5 million, and Bitwise’s own Bitcoin ETF (BITB), which attracted over $125 million.

Hougan and fellow Bitwise executive Ryan Rasmussen previously predicted that 2025 would surpass 2024 in ETF inflows, driven by increasing institutional adoption. They noted that the first year of an ETF is often its slowest, drawing parallels to gold ETFs, which saw $2.6 billion in inflows during their inaugural year in 2004, doubling to $5.5 billion in 2005.

Institutional Engagement on the Horizon
The report also emphasized that major financial advisory firms (wirehouses) have yet to fully embrace Bitcoin ETFs. Once this shift occurs, it could unlock trillions of dollars in potential investment.

With both retail demand and institutional interest surging, 2024 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for Bitcoin investment vehicles.

Regulatory Developments Fueling ETF Growth
Adding to the momentum, the recent resignation of SEC Chair Gary Gensler on January 20 has sparked a wave of new crypto ETF filings. Gensler, known for his cautious approach to crypto regulations, stepped down amid growing calls for clearer guidelines in the digital asset space.

In response, 21Shares filed with the SEC to introduce a spot Polkadot ETF, while Tuttle Capital Management submitted applications for ten cryptocurrency-based leveraged ETFs, including funds tied to meme coins like Official Trump (TRUMP) and Melania Meme (MELANIA).

Meanwhile, Osprey Funds and REX Shares filed for meme coin ETFs covering Dogecoin (DOGE), Official Trump (TRUMP), and Bonk (BONK) on January 21.

With regulatory barriers easing under what analysts describe as crypto-friendly Trump-era regulators, the crypto ETF landscape is set for significant expansion in the coming months.