U.S. spot crypto exchange-traded funds recorded a sharp reversal in flows on January 20, 2026, with total net outflows approaching $760 million, according to data shared by Crypto Patel.
The selloff was driven primarily by Bitcoin and Ethereum products, while a handful of altcoin ETFs attracted modest inflows.
Bitcoin and Ethereum Dominate the Outflows
Bitcoin ETFs posted the largest drawdown of the day, shedding 5,180 BTC, equivalent to -$483.38 million. The scale of the move was notable, with spot Bitcoin ETFs collectively selling an amount equal to roughly 12 days of mined BTC supply in a single session.
Ethereum ETFs also faced sustained pressure, recording net outflows of 72,145 ETH, or approximately -$230 million, reinforcing the risk-off tone across major crypto investment vehicles.
Altcoin ETFs Show Mixed Signals
While large-cap assets saw heavy selling, select altcoin ETFs moved in the opposite direction:
- Solana ETFs recorded net inflows of 28,180 SOL, totaling +$3.08 million.
- Chainlink ETFs attracted 328,470 LINK, equivalent to +$4.05 million.
In contrast, other altcoin-linked products remained under pressure or inactive:
- XRP ETFs saw 26.8 million XRP in outflows ($53.3 million).
- Dogecoin ETFs recorded -3.28 million DOGE (-$406,960).
- Litecoin (LTC) and Hedera (HBAR) ETFs reported zero net flows on the day.
Fidelity and Grayscale Drive Bitcoin ETF Selling
Breaking down Bitcoin ETF activity further, the data highlights concentrated selling among major issuers. Fidelityreduced exposure by approximately 1,700 BTC, while Grayscale sold around 1,800 BTC, accounting for a substantial portion of the day’s aggregate outflows.
Market Takeaway
The near $760 million net outflow underscores how quickly institutional positioning can shift during periods of market stress. While Bitcoin and Ethereum bore the brunt of the selling, selective inflows into Solana and Chainlink suggest investors are becoming more discerning rather than exiting crypto exposure entirely.
