true assets like gold via ETFs such as the [Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS)] and the [Sprott Gold Miners ETF (SGDM)].While yes, there is staying power for crypto ETFs for growth considerations, it could ultimately be concentrated in the largest ETF providers like the BlackRocks of the world. The aforementioned IBIT took in about [$25 billion inflows] last year, which accounts for almost 80% of the $31.8 billion in net inflows for U.S. spot crypto ETFs. It will be akin to Darwinian evolution theory in ETFs ...

Core Viewpoint - Nasdaq is seeking SEC approval to remove restrictions on options trading for crypto ETFs, which could enhance market accessibility and trading fairness for investors [1][3]. Group 1: Nasdaq's Proposal - Nasdaq filed a form with the SEC to amend options position and exercise limit rules for certain crypto assets [1]. - The proposed rule change aims to eliminate the previous 25,000 position and exercise limit restrictions for options on crypto ETFs [3]. - Nasdaq is requesting immediate effectiveness of the proposal, asking the SEC to waive the standard 30-day delay [4]. Group 2: Impact on Crypto ETFs - If approved, the rule change will affect various crypto funds, including those linked to Bitcoin and Ethereum launched by major asset managers like BlackRock and Fidelity [2]. - As of January 22, spot Bitcoin ETFs have total net inflows of $56.6 billion, while spot Ether ETFs have $12.34 billion in inflows [4]. Group 3: Market Implications - Nasdaq believes the change will promote "just" and "equitable" trading principles, eliminate discrimination, and foster a free and open market [3]. - The exchange asserts that the proposal does not impose significant burdens on competition and aims to protect investors [4].

Group 1 - BlackRock's spot bitcoin and ether ETFs have seen significant outflows, with $708.71 million in net outflows for bitcoin ETFs and $297.51 million for ether ETFs, indicating a trend of redemption-driven settlement rather than discretionary selling [2][4] - Over the past few hours, wallets linked to BlackRock's ETFs transferred more than $430 million worth of crypto to Coinbase Prime, marking one of the largest ETF-related transfer clusters this week [1][3] - The transfers included approximately 3,070 bitcoin valued at $276 million and about 52,800 ether worth around $157 million, reflecting substantial operational flows rather than direct market selling [2][4] Group 2 - BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) remains the largest institutional holder of bitcoin, with hundreds of thousands of BTC held on behalf of clients, while the iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) is one of the largest regulated vehicles for ether exposure [6] - The recent transfer activity follows a previous transfer of roughly $300 million in bitcoin and ether tied to BlackRock wallets, which coincided with a brief price surge for bitcoin [5] - As of mid-January, bitcoin was trading just under $90,000 and ether near $3,000, with the broader crypto markets attempting to stabilize after a period of volatility [7]

Core Insights - The beginning of 2026 signifies a significant "regime change" for digital assets, with crypto ETFs experiencing inflows exceeding $1.2 billion in the first two trading days, potentially leading to an annual intake of $150 billion [1][10] Group 1: Morgan Stanley's Strategic Move - Morgan Stanley filed for its own spot Bitcoin and Solana ETFs on January 6, 2026, which is expected to attract substantial discretionary capital and facilitate crypto exposure through diversified ETF structures [2][10] - The bank's filing represents a strategic expansion into digital assets, transitioning from distributing third-party products to creating proprietary funds, allowing it to capture management fees and integrate these products into its client portfolios [3][4] - With over $7.9 trillion in wealth and investment management assets, Morgan Stanley is positioned to benefit from high-margin revenues generated by crypto products [4][6] Group 2: Market Dynamics and ETF Advantages - The SEC-approved spot Bitcoin ETF structure has proven lucrative for traditional finance, with a 40% sequential increase in the number of public companies holding Bitcoin, reaching 172 [5] - Investing in crypto ETFs is currently advantageous as direct holdings of assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum have faced volatility, with Bitcoin ending 2025 with a significant loss [7][8] - Crypto ETFs provide diversified exposure, institutional-grade security, liquidity, and regulatory compliance, mitigating the risks associated with direct ownership [8] Group 3: Future Outlook and Predictions - The digital asset economy is predicted to remain strong in 2026, with a Bitcoin price target of nearly $200,000 by the end of the year suggested by CoinShares [9] - Analysts from JP Morgan have indicated that the recent crypto sell-off may be nearing its end, with inflows and outflows in Bitcoin ETFs starting to stabilize [11] Group 4: Recommended Crypto ETFs - **Bitwise 10 Crypto Index ETF (BITW)**: The world's first and largest crypto index fund with net assets of $1.07 billion, tracking the 10 largest crypto assets, gaining 4.2% year to date with fees of 75 basis points [12] - **Bitwise Solana Staking ETF (BSOL)**: The first U.S. ETP with 100% direct exposure to the Solana blockchain, with AUM of $761.7 million, surging 9.3% year to date and charging 20 basis points in fees [13] - **Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (BITQ)**: AUM of $409.9 million, offering exposure to 33 companies servicing the cryptocurrency markets, rallying 13.1% year to date with fees of 85 basis points [14] - **Global X Blockchain ETF (BKCH)**: AUM of $384.9 million, providing exposure to 35 companies benefiting from blockchain adoption, soaring 18.2% year to date with fees of 50 basis points [15]

Core Insights - Bitcoin (BTC) has surpassed $92,000, driven by significant ETF-related transactions involving BlackRock, which transferred approximately $300 million worth of BTC and ether (ETH) to Coinbase Prime [1][2][3] Group 1: Market Movements - On-chain trackers identified transfers of about 3,290 BTC (approximately $298 million) and 5,692 ETH (around $18 million) to Coinbase Prime, indicating potential rebalancing or redemptions related to ETF shares [2] - Bitcoin's price has been fluctuating, recently trading around $91,830, with traders monitoring its ability to reach last week's highs near $95,000 as U.S. liquidity returns [3][4] Group 2: ETF Influence - ETF flows are crucial for market dynamics, especially after a period of tax-related selling and year-end adjustments that impacted crypto prices in late December [4] - BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) is the largest BTC holder among asset managers, with approximately 773,898 BTC, indicating strong institutional interest since its launch in early 2024 [5] Group 3: Ether Holdings - BlackRock also holds a significant position in ether through its iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), which reported total net assets of about $10.8 billion, representing nearly 2.9% of ether's circulating supply [6]

XRP exchange-traded funds have pulled in over $1 billion since they launched in November 2025. Yet some analysts forecast the fun won’t last. “Investing is all about growth potential and who is building on top of a blockchain,” Brian Huang, co-founder of investment platform Glider, told DL News. “When we look at a16z’s builder mindshare, XRP doesn’t even show up.” But showing up on Andreessen Horowitz’s builder list might not matter since XRP ETFs have been crushing it. Following their launch in mid ...

Core Insights - Crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) provide a regulated way for retail investors to access digital assets without direct management of cryptocurrencies [1] - BlackRock anticipates significant portfolio shifts as interest in crypto ETFs grows among traditional investors [1] Group 1: Market Trends - BlackRock's U.S. head of equity ETFs, Jay Jacobs, noted that many retail investors are just beginning to understand the role of crypto in traditional portfolios [2] - Jacobs emphasized that Bitcoin and Ethereum are still in the early stages of integration into long-term investment strategies [3] - Education on how cryptocurrencies fit into portfolios and their behavior in various market conditions is crucial for investor understanding [4] Group 2: ETF Performance - BlackRock manages the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (NASDAQ: IBIT) and the iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (NASDAQ: ETHA), with IBIT trading at $51.80, down over 4% in the past year, and ETHA at $23.61, down nearly 6% [6] - Despite market volatility, ETF-based crypto investors remain committed, with many holding their positions rather than trading frequently [7] Group 3: Industry Sentiment - JPMorgan Chase expressed optimism that crypto ETF outflows would decrease in January, suggesting that the recent sell-off may be nearing a bottom [5] - Investor confidence in the long-term prospects of crypto remains strong, as indicated by the commitment of ETF investors [7]

Core Insights - Morgan Stanley has filed for spot Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana ETFs, marking a significant move by a major Wall Street bank into regulated crypto products [2][4] - The filings come amid a surge in demand for crypto ETFs, with U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs experiencing approximately $697 million in net inflows on a single day, the highest since October [2][3] - The total inflows for Bitcoin ETFs in the first two days of 2026 reached $1.16 billion, indicating a strong institutional interest in the crypto market [3] Distribution and Validation - The introduction of ETFs by Morgan Stanley is crucial for distribution, as they facilitate the movement of real money into crypto without the need for clients to set up wallets or custody solutions [6] - The filing of these products signals a shift in the perception of crypto exposure from a niche request to a standard expectation among clients [6] Market Implications - The recent inflows suggest that institutional investors are increasingly entering the crypto space, reinforcing the price floor for Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Solana [7] - The overall trend indicates that while prices may not rise continuously, the foundational support for these assets is strengthening due to sustained institutional flows [7]

Core Insights - XRP's price has increased by 25% in the first week of the year, significantly outperforming the broader crypto market, with $1.3 billion invested in XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) [1][3] - Regulatory clarity in the US is a major factor contributing to XRP's strong performance, with the potential passage of the Clarity Act seen as beneficial for XRP [2][6] - Ripple has achieved significant business milestones, including a $500 million funding round that tripled its valuation to $40 billion, and partnerships with Mastercard and Gemini [5][6] Investment Trends - XRP ETFs have seen a remarkable $1.3 billion in investments since their launch, with no net outflows recorded, contrasting sharply with other crypto ETFs like Solana, which attracted $420 million, and Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs that experienced outflows of $2.4 billion and $898 million respectively [3][4] - Analysts believe that the proliferation of ETFs is a key catalyst for increasing investments in XRP, indicating a growing institutional interest in digital assets [4] Company Developments - Ripple's recent strategic funding round included notable investors such as Citadel Securities and Galaxy Digital, enhancing its market position [5] - The partnership with Mastercard and Gemini aims to facilitate stablecoin payments for credit card transactions, further integrating XRP into financial systems [5]

DaLiu / Shutterstock.com Quick Read XRP ETFs pulled in $483M during December while Bitcoin ETFs lost $1.09B and Ethereum shed $564M. XRP spot price fell 15% to $1.77 despite institutional inflows. Retail selling dominated while institutions accumulated. XRP ETFs reached $1.3B in total inflows since November launch. This marks the fastest adoption for any altcoin ETF. If you’re thinking about retiring or know someone who is, there are three quick questions causing many Americans to realize they can ...