Wall Street didn't waste any time in 2026. While many of us were still finishing off holiday leftovers, institutional investors were busy clicking the "buy" button. On the very first trading day of the year, U.S.-based spot Bitcoin and <a href="https://www.cryptoknowmics.com/news/ether-etfs-expected-to-boost-eth-prices-significantly-by-year-end/">Ether ETFs</a> recorded a massive combined net inflow of approximately $646 million.

This isn't just a minor blip on the radar; it’s a significant shift in momentum after a somewhat sluggish December. It seems the "suits" are officially back from their winter break, and they’ve brought their checkbooks with them.
<h2>How much money is flowing into Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in 2026?</h2>
[embed]https://twitter.com/walsxbt/status/2007507167474286925?s=20[/embed]

According to the latest data from Farside, the breakdown of this $646 million surge is quite telling. Spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs took the lion's share with **$471.3 million** in net inflows—their strongest single-day performance in over a month. Not to be left behind, Ether (ETH) ETFs pulled in $174.5 million, marking their best day since early December.

This push has helped drive the total cumulative trading volume for U.S. crypto spot ETFs past a staggering $2 trillion. To put that in perspective, it took 16 months to hit the first trillion, but only 8 months to hit the second. The "ETF-ization" of crypto is moving at breakneck speed.
<h3>Why are institutional investors "loading up" on crypto now?</h3>
You might be wondering why everyone is suddenly so bullish when Bitcoin is trading around the $88,000–$89,000 range—still a bit of a climb from its October peak of $125,100. Analysts suggest two main reasons:
<ol>
 	<li aria-level="1">Tax-Loss Harvesting is Over: Many institutions sold off positions in Q4 2025 to lock in tax benefits. Now that the new fiscal year has started, they are re-entering the market to build their core positions for 2026.</li>
 	<li aria-level="1">Structural Conviction: Unlike the "degens" of previous cycles, ETF holders are proving to be remarkably "diamond-handed." During the recent 35% market drawdown, only about 4% of ETF assets exited the market. The rest "hung tough," treating Bitcoin more like a strategic macro asset (like gold) rather than a speculative trade.</li>
</ol>
<h3>What is the price outlook for BTC and ETH in 2026?</h3>
While the "Extreme Fear" index still lingers around a score of 25, the underlying market structure looks healthier than ever. With exchange reserves at multi-year lows and long-term holder supply turning positive again, the stage is set for a potential "supply shock."

If Bitcoin can clear the $90,000 resistance level with this new wave of ETF liquidity, many analysts believe a run toward $100,000 or even $120,000 is the next logical step. For Ethereum, the goal is reclaiming the $3,000 psychological barrier, which could trigger a 15–20% "catch-up" rally in the coming weeks.

Wall Street’s $646M New Year "Buy" Signal: Crypto ETFs Surge in 2026

2026 kicks off with a massive $646 million inflow into Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. See why institutions are "loading up" now.

Wall Street’s $646M New Year "Buy" Signal: Crypto ETFs Surge in 2026

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