Positive Inflows Not Enough: 2026 Marks Worst Year for Spot Bitcoin ETFs with 102,000 BTC Net Outflow

According to CryptoQuant, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded a net outflow of 102,000 BTC in 2026, marking the worst year ever for ETFs, as recent positive inflows remained short-lived.

In recent days, numerous reports have been shared highlighting that inflows into U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have turned positive once again. While these comments give the impression that investor interest is recovering in the short term, CryptoQuant’s annual cumulative flow data indicates that the overall trend for 2026 is moving in the opposite direction.

According to data shared by CryptoQuant, the 2026 net cumulative flow stands at -102,000 BTC. As a result, outflows outpaced inflows in the total annual flow for spot ETFs. CryptoQuant describes this outcome as the “worst year” for ETFs. The data shows the 2026 line dipping below zero, while the previous two years remained in positive territory.

Spot Bitcoin ETF flows turned negative in 2026

The annual comparison in the chart shows that the weakness in 2026 significantly deviates from previous periods. Net cumulative inflows, which reached approximately 500,000 BTC in 2024, hovered around 200,000 BTC in 2025. While the line progressed in positive territory during both years, the trend turned downward in 2026.

Therefore, the positive ETF inflows highlighted recently are being evaluated separately from the full-year data. CryptoQuant’s post reveals that short-term positive flows have not altered the record-level negative outlook for 2026. The data distinguishes between short-term movements in spot Bitcoin ETFs and the annual cumulative result.