Bitcoin ETFs see $234M in outflows after Trump’s tariff war

On Feb. 3, spot Bitcoin ETFs saw a net outflow of approximately $235 million, marking the first net outflow after a four-day streak of net inflows totaling $1 billion. The outflows follow Bitcoin’s drop to a three-week low, with BTC briefly touching $92,000 during the weekend.

It’s a stark contrast to the previous week when ETFs saw consistent net inflows averaging $250 million per day. The massive outflows on Feb. 3 are also a notable deviation from the inflows we’ve seen over the past month, showing just how sensitive the ETF market is to external political and economic factors.

The largest outflows came from Fidelity’s FBTC, which recorded a staggering $177.6 million in net redemptions, marking the single largest outflow of the day. Grayscale’s GBTC also saw notable outflows, though at a much lower scale, shedding $8.6 million. Other ETFs that experienced net negative flows included Bitwise’s BITB, which lost $5.5 million, and ARK’s ARKB, which saw a $50.7 million outflow. The remaining ETFs, including BlackRock’s IBIT, Invesco’s BTCO, Franklin’s EZBC, Valkyrie’s BRRR, VanEck’s HODL, and WisdomTree’s BTCW, reported no inflows or outflows, indicating a pause in investor activity for those funds. Interestingly, Grayscale’s BTC (different from GBTC) recorded a small but positive inflow of $8 million, making it the only ETF to attract new capital.

President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China was the primary catalyst for the volatility. Initially, the administration declared a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on Chinese products, set to take effect on Feb. 4. However, following negotiations, the tariffs on Canada and Mexico were postponed for 30 days, while those on Chinese imports proceeded as planned.

The tariff announcements had immediate repercussions across global financial markets. Major indices, including the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq, experienced notable declines as investors grappled with the potential economic implications of a trade war. The uncertainty stemming from these developments prompted a shift away from risk assets, including Bitcoin and other digital assets.

The imposition of tariffs introduces concerns about increased production costs, disrupted supply chains, and potential retaliatory measures from affected countries. Such factors contribute to broader economic uncertainty, leading investors to reassess their portfolios and reduce exposure to volatile assets like Bitcoin.

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