Bitcoin ETFs erase $5.7 billion deficit as profit-taking absorbs demand

US-listed Bitcoin ETFs erased a $5.7 billion 2026 flow deficit after buying revived. SoSoValue data show the funds attracted more than $1.7 billion this week. The products drew $999 million on Sept. 21. They drew $715 million on Sept. 22. The funds are positioned to surpass their strongest inflow week of the year at the current pace. That week drew about $1.92 billion through Aug. 21. BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust attracted roughly $1.02 billion over four trading sessions. Arkham Intelligence provided that estimate. The deficit reached $5.69 billion by July 13. Askthetape data show that about $6.04 billion flowed back into the products since that trough. The annual tally reached about $349 million in net inflows. About $3.17 billion of the recovery came during the past 30 days. Bloomberg Intelligence ETF analyst Eric Balchunas said renewed demand began gathering pace in August. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had signaled increased purchases of longer-dated government bonds. Some market participants interpreted that development as evidence of pressure in long-duration debt markets. Bitcoin rose about 35% from roughly $64,100 to above $85,000 during that period. The ETFs absorbed about $4.6 billion over the same period. The average cost basis of Bitcoin held through the funds is estimated near $82,000. Bitcoin trading above $85,000 returned the average ETF investor to unrealized profit. Bitcoin reached $87,265 over the past 24 hours. CryptoSlate data show Bitcoin traded at $84,589 as of press time. CryptoQuant data show short-term holders sent about 47,600 BTC held at a profit to exchanges as Bitcoin approached $88,000. Those coins were worth more than $4 billion at prices near $85,000. Exchange deposits do not mean every transferred coin was sold. The surge shows that profitable short-term holders became more active around the local high. Santiment warned that strong ETF demand could become a source of caution. Santiment said unusually large ETF inflows have repeatedly clustered around local market turning points. The firm said the latest surge fits that pattern after Bitcoin climbed about 35% over the past month. Santiment stressed that the inflows do not guarantee an immediate reversal. The firm said strong buying can continue to push prices higher. Santiment said exceptionally large creations can coincide with rising euphoria and leave the market more vulnerable when marginal demand fades. Continued ETF creations would give the market more capacity to absorb the supply. A slowdown in fund demand with elevated short-term-holder exchange deposits would leave Bitcoin increasingly reliant on other spot buyers to sustain the rally.