Crypto Market Update: Bitcoin ETFs Record Biggest Inflows Since July
September 17, 2025 – As of 9:00 a.m. UTC
The cryptocurrency market witnessed notable activity midweek, driven primarily by renewed institutional interest in Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Bitcoin ETFs logged their largest net inflows since July, signaling a resurgence in confidence among investors as they anticipate favorable monetary policy moves from the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Bitcoin and Ethereum Price Movements
Bitcoin (BTC) experienced a modest uptick, trading at approximately US$116,309, marking a 0.9% increase over the previous 24 hours. The cryptocurrency hit an intraday high of US$117,292 before settling back into the US$116,000 range. This early morning rise aligned with investor expectations that the Federal Reserve would announce an interest rate cut later in the day, which often serves to boost risk assets including cryptocurrencies.
Despite this positive momentum, market liquidity remained thin and leveraged positions were reduced—factors that tempered Bitcoin’s upward potential.
Ethereum (ETH), in contrast, saw a decline, slipping 2.6% to trade near US$4,494.71. The day’s price ranged between US$4,476.73 and US$4,538.16, reflecting more cautious sentiment among traders for the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency.
Bitcoin ETFs See Surge in Inflows
Data from Bitwise and other market analysts underscore a significant trend: institutional demand for Bitcoin via ETFs now outpaces new Bitcoin issuance by a wide margin. On Monday, Bitcoin ETF inflows reached around US$260 million, followed by a further increase to approximately US$292 million on Tuesday. This marked a consecutive seven-day inflow streak totaling close to US$2.9 billion—levels unseen since late July.
According to K33 Research, net inflows during this period amounted to 20,685 BTC, elevating the cumulative holdings of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs to a record 1.32 million BTC. This figure corresponds to roughly 6.6% of Bitcoin’s total market capitalization.
Analysts note this intensified inflow exerts strong upward pressure on Bitcoin prices. Bitwise reported that the capital shift toward Bitcoin ETFs is occurring largely at Ethereum’s expense, with institutional funds reallocating positions to Bitcoin. This reallocation is driven in part by the improving macro outlook around U.S. monetary policy and ongoing confidence in Bitcoin’s role as a store of value.
Market Sentiment and Altcoin Performance
The Crypto Fear and Greed Index provided a snapshot of current sentiment, revealing a neutral reading of 51. This is a cooling from last week’s “Greed” levels, suggesting investors remain cautiously optimistic amidst mixed signals.
Several altcoins exhibited varying performance patterns:
- Solana (SOL): Traded near US$234.29, down marginally by 0.5%.
- XRP: Fell slightly by 0.6% to about US$3.01.
- SUI (Sui): Maintained steady trading around US$3.60, essentially flat.
- Cardano (ADA): Showed modest gains of 0.3%, reaching roughly US$0.8713. —
Corporate and Regional Developments
Metaplanet Expands Bitcoin Income Operations to the U.S.
Tokyo-listed Metaplanet (TSE:3350, OTCQX:MTPLF) has announced the launch of a Miami-based subsidiary named Metaplanet Income, focusing on Bitcoin income generation strategies such as derivatives trading and yield products. This follows a successful global equity sale that raised US$1.44 billion, enabling the company to fuel further Bitcoin acquisitions through October and diversify its revenue streams. The new U.S. arm received an initial capital injection of US$15 million and aims to separate income-generating activities from Metaplanet’s core treasury holdings.
Management emphasizes that while this expansion will not substantially impact 2025 earnings, it enhances Metaplanet’s long-term operational footprint in the U.S.
Saudi Arabia Accelerates Digital Payments with Google and Ant Partnership
Saudi Arabia is intensifying its fintech ambitions by fostering collaborations with Google Pay and Ant International. The Kingdom’s central bank confirmed at Money20/20 Riyadh that Google Pay will integrate with the national mada payments network, enabling users to manage payments through Google Wallet seamlessly. Similarly, a partnership with Ant International is set to facilitate cross-border QR code payments, connecting Saudi’s mada network with Alipay+ by 2026. These initiatives aim to support small and medium-sized merchants by granting access to a broader, global payments ecosystem.
Looking Ahead
With more than 22,000 BTC accumulated by investment funds over the last month against just 14,000 coins newly mined, market watchers view the current ETF inflow momentum as a constructive signal heading into Q4 of 2025. However, with mixed price movements and a moderated sentiment index, investors remain attentive to upcoming macroeconomic developments.
Stay connected for real-time updates as the crypto market continues to evolve.
Follow @INN_Technology for ongoing cryptocurrency market news and insights.
About the Authors
Giann Liguid is an interdisciplinary studies graduate with extensive writing experience spanning security, food, and business sectors, specializing in public and administrative topics.
Meagen Seatter brings expertise in investment market content, drawing from a diverse background across Australia, Southeast Asia, and Canada. She writes extensively on technology, life sciences, and related markets.
Disclaimer: The authors hold no direct investment interests in the companies mentioned.
Investing News Network (INN) remains your trusted source for the latest developments in blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and technology investing.