Crypto ETFs News

Bitcoin ETF Flows May 2026: $1.25B Outflows Hit Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs This Week

Nana K.

18 May 2026 Updated 18 May 2026 2 min read

Current bitcoin ETF flows May 2026 mark a new record low. The last time such negative figures were recorded was back in February 2026.

Between May 11 and May 15, 2026, US spot bitcoin ETFs recorded $1B in outflows. This is the largest weekly outflow since February. Spot Ethereum (ETH) ETFs lost an additional $255.1M.

Hot topic: BitMEX Co-Founder Cuts Bitcoin Price Forecast From $500K to $125K

Thus, total outflows from the two main segments exceeded $1.25B.

Contents

1.Bitcoin ETF Outflows May 2026: Scale of Losses
2.Bitcoin ETF Inflows May 2026: Altcoins Maintain Interest
3.BNB ETF Progress and New Launches

Bitcoin ETF Outflows May 2026: Scale of Losses

The largest losses were posted by:

ARKB (ARK Invest) — $324.11M
IBIT (BlackRock) — $317.21M
FBTC (Fidelity) — $258.96M

Significant outflows were also recorded in GBTC, BITB, and other funds. Only a few products, including Morgan Stanley’s MSBT, showed modest inflows.

Capital Inflow and Outflow Dynamics in the U.S. Spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETF Segment Since Their Launch. Screenshot as of May 18, 2026. Source: SoSoValue. — Capital Inflow and Outflow Dynamics in the U.S. Spot Bitcoin (BTC▲$63,637.00) ETF Segment Since Their Launch. Screenshot as of May 18, 2026. Source: SoSoValue.

Ethereum ETFs also ended the week in negative territory. The outflow leader was BlackRock’s ETHA at $184.59M. Only 21Shares’ ETHB showed positive performance.

Capital Inflow and Outflow Dynamics in the U.S. Spot Ethereum (ETH) ETF Segment Since Their Launch. Screenshot as of May 18, 2026. Source: SoSoValue. — Capital Inflow and Outflow Dynamics in the U.S. Spot Ethereum (ETH▲$1,690.94) ETF Segment Since Their Launch. Screenshot as of May 18, 2026. Source: SoSoValue.

Bitcoin ETF Inflows May 2026: Altcoins Maintain Interest

Amid outflows from the main funds, altcoin ETFs attracted capital. Investors showed the strongest interest in XRP▲$1.17 ETFs at $60.5M and Solana (SOL) ETFs at $58.12M. Funds also flowed into LINK▲$8.01, HYPE▲$64.15, HBAR▲$0.0821, and DOGE▲$0.0869 ETFs.

BNB ETF Progress and New Launches

VanEck and Grayscale have filed additional amendments for spot BNB▲$605.18 ETFs. VanEck has filed its fifth, Grayscale its second. Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart noted that BNB could be the next major altcoin to receive a spot ETF in the US.

Yup. Definitely movement at the SEC with regards to a potential binancecoin:native ETF launch. @vaneck_us just filed an amended prospectus for their binancecoin:native ETF. This is their FIFTH amendment. Yes 5th. https://t.co/jdVjPZ3f72 pic.twitter.com/LvAhNZ7hkf
— James Seyffart (@JSeyff) May 15, 2026

Meanwhile, 21Shares launched the first US ETF on Hyperliquid, THYP, which attracted $1.2M on its first trading day. This indicates growing institutional investor interest in new altcoin products.

The week showed notable differentiation. Investors continue to pull funds from Bitcoin and Ethereum but maintain or even increase interest in select altcoins and new instruments.

Learn more: Best Crypto ETF Contracts for 2026 — Which ETFs Will Dominate Trading This Year?