Bitcoin rises as BTC ETFs log one of the quarter’s largest inflow days amid Iran tensions

U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs attracted $458 million in inflows, signaling that institutional investors may be stepping in to absorb the market shock that briefly pushed bitcoin down to $63,000 over the weekend.

Bitcoin was trading near $68,000 on Tuesday as U.S.-listed spot ETFs recorded $458 million in net inflows, according to data compiled by SoSoValue. The strong demand marked one of the largest inflow days of the quarter, even as geopolitical tensions tied to the conflict with Iran continued to weigh on global markets.

The steady inflows suggest that institutional investors view bitcoin’s recent price swings—triggered by war-related headlines—as a temporary disturbance rather than a broader systemic risk.

Singapore-based trading firm QCP Capital noted in a recent market update that roughly $300 million in long liquidations over the weekend were “notable but contained.” The firm added that market positioning had already been significantly reduced in the weeks leading up to the event.

Options markets reflected a similar dynamic, QCP said. One-day implied volatility briefly surged to 93% following the news before quickly retreating, indicating that traders were primarily hedging short-term event risk rather than preparing for a sustained escalation.

Separately, U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs brought in about $1.1 billion over three consecutive sessions last week, according to SoSoValue data previously cited by CoinDesk. Roughly half of those inflows went into BlackRock’s IBIT fund.