Ethereum ETFs Attract $534M in One Day, Nearing Launch-Day Highs

Spot Ethereum ETFs are attracting serious traction. On July 22, they recorded net inflows of $533.87 million, marking the third-highest single-day total since launch. This level of inflow points to something more stable: growing institutional confidence in Ethereum.

As Ethereum moves toward a broader role in supporting tokenized finance, ETFs are becoming a practical channel for traditional capital to enter the space. The trend signals growing recognition of Ethereum as part of the evolving financial landscape.

A Strong Inflow Reflects Shifting Sentiment

An inflow of $534 million on July 22 pushed total net investments in spot Ethereum ETFs to $8.32 billion. That day’s trading volume reached $1.97 billion, while total net assets across these ETFs rose to nearly $19.85 billion, amounting to 4.44 percent of Ethereum’s total market value.

BlackRock’s ETHA led the way with $426.22 million in new capital. It now holds over $10 billion in assets, equivalent to 2.24 percent of Ethereum’s circulating supply. Fidelity’s FETH followed with $35.01 million in inflows, while Grayscale’s converted ETH fund added $72.64 million. Smaller funds from providers such as Bitwise and Franklin Templeton recorded minimal or no inflows.

The trend highlights a concentration of investment in the largest ETFs. Rather than diversifying across multiple options, institutional capital appears to be flowing into a select few, reflecting patterns common in traditional finance where scale, liquidity, and reputation carry significant weight.

Ethereum Gains Ground as Bitcoin Sees Outflows

In contrast to Ethereum’s momentum, spot Bitcoin ETFs experienced a net outflow of $67.93 million on the same day. Ark Invest’s ARKB and Bitwise’s BITB each saw outflows of more than $30 million. Only Grayscale’s GBTC recorded a positive result, with a modest $7.51 million in net inflows.

Despite the outflows, spot Bitcoin ETFs remain significantly larger, with $154.77 billion in total net assets, roughly 6.5% of Bitcoin’s market capitalization. Trading activity also remained strong, with daily volume across all Bitcoin funds reaching $4.01 billion.

These movements don’t necessarily suggest Ethereum is replacing Bitcoin in investor strategies. Rather, they reflect a growing distinction between the two. While Bitcoin remains a popular store of value, Ethereum’s utility in powering tokenized finance and smart contracts is attracting interest for different reasons. The current inflows suggest some institutional investors may be adjusting their portfolios to better reflect that differentiation.

Tokenization Continues to Drive Ethereum’s Appeal

Ethereum’s growing role in real-world finance is one of the key factors supporting demand for its ETFs. Over 55% of tokenized real-world assets are built on the Ethereum blockchain. Companies including JPMorgan, BlackRock, and Visa have all conducted tokenization initiatives using Ethereum’s infrastructure.

The trend is accelerating. Robinhood’s recent decision to offer tokenized stock trading on Arbitrum, a Layer-2 Ethereum network, further strengthens Ethereum’s position as the leading platform for tokenized finance. This institutional use case is beginning to influence how Ethereum is viewed not only by crypto-native investors but also by large financial firms seeking exposure to future-oriented infrastructure.

As Kean Gilbert from Lido DAO noted, staking integration could be the next frontier for Ethereum ETFs. There’s growing discussion around incorporating liquid staking derivatives like stETH into ETF structures, especially as U.S. regulators slowly clarify staking guidelines. That could open the door to yield-bearing ETFs that also maintain redemption liquidity, something traditional products can’t easily replicate.

Ethereum’s Position Grows Stronger

The sharp rise in ETF inflows shows that Ethereum is steadily gaining trust among major investors. With billions in assets now managed through spot ETFs, it's clear that Ethereum is being taken more seriously as part of the global financial system.

As tokenization projects grow and traditional firms continue to adopt Ethereum-based solutions, its presence in institutional strategies is likely to expand. This week’s numbers suggest the shift is already well underway.