Key Takeaways
- • Digital asset investment products recorded US$1.1bn in weekly inflows, the strongest performance since early January, driven by risk appetite rebound following softer-than-expected US CPI data and easing geopolitical tensions in Iran.
- • US-domiciled flows dominated the week at US$1.06bn (95% of total inflows), while Germany, Canada, and Switzerland recorded modest inflows of US$34.6m, US$7.8m, and US$6.9m respectively, signaling concentrated institutional appetite in North American markets.
- • Bitcoin led digital asset inflows with US$871m, bringing year-to-date inflows to just under US$2bn, while Ethereum recovered with US$196.5m inflows despite remaining in net outflow position year-to-date.
- • Short-bitcoin investment products recorded US$20.2m in inflows—the largest weekly total since November 2024—indicating persistent hedging activity and bearish positioning despite broader market recovery.
- • Trading volumes increased 13% week-on-week to US$21bn but remain 32% below the year-to-date average of US$31bn, while total assets under management recovered to levels not seen since early February.
Summary
Digital asset investment products experienced their strongest weekly performance in over three months, attracting US$1.1bn in inflows during the week ending April 13, 2026. According to CoinShares Research analyst James Butterfill, the rebound reflects renewed risk appetite following tentative ceasefire developments in Iran and softer-than-expected US spending and inflation data. This marks a significant recovery from the subdued sentiment observed in prior weeks.
Geographically, the inflow recovery proved heavily concentrated in North America. US-based institutional investors and funds accounted for US$1.06bn of the weekly total—representing 95% of all inflows. Germany followed distantly with US$34.6m in inflows, while Canada and Switzerland contributed US$7.8m and US$6.9m respectively. The stark US-centric composition underscores divergent institutional sentiment across developed markets and suggests that geopolitical risk reassessment and inflation relief resonated most forcefully with American allocators.
Bitcoin dominated asset-level flows, capturing US$871m in weekly inflows and bringing year-to-date totals to just under US$2bn. Ethereum posted a notable recovery with US$196.5m in inflows, though it remains positioned for year-to-date outflows. Notably, short-bitcoin investment products—instruments designed to profit from or hedge against Bitcoin price declines—recorded US$20.2m in inflows, marking the largest weekly total since November 2024. This bifurcated positioning reflects persistent skepticism among some market participants even as broader risk appetite improves.
Trading activity showed signs of recovery but remains depressed relative to historical averages. Weekly volumes increased 13% sequentially to US$21bn; however, this figure sits 32% below the year-to-date average of US$31bn, indicating that volume recovery lags capital inflows. Total assets under management in digital asset investment products recovered to levels last observed in early February, suggesting institutional positioning has rebounded meaningfully from recent lows. The divergence between inflow momentum and trading volume warrants continued monitoring as it may signal cautious reallocation rather than conviction-driven accumulation.
Geographically, the inflow recovery proved heavily concentrated in North America. US-based institutional investors and funds accounted for US$1.06bn of the weekly total—representing 95% of all inflows. Germany followed distantly with US$34.6m in inflows, while Canada and Switzerland contributed US$7.8m and US$6.9m respectively. The stark US-centric composition underscores divergent institutional sentiment across developed markets and suggests that geopolitical risk reassessment and inflation relief resonated most forcefully with American allocators.
Bitcoin dominated asset-level flows, capturing US$871m in weekly inflows and bringing year-to-date totals to just under US$2bn. Ethereum posted a notable recovery with US$196.5m in inflows, though it remains positioned for year-to-date outflows. Notably, short-bitcoin investment products—instruments designed to profit from or hedge against Bitcoin price declines—recorded US$20.2m in inflows, marking the largest weekly total since November 2024. This bifurcated positioning reflects persistent skepticism among some market participants even as broader risk appetite improves.
Trading activity showed signs of recovery but remains depressed relative to historical averages. Weekly volumes increased 13% sequentially to US$21bn; however, this figure sits 32% below the year-to-date average of US$31bn, indicating that volume recovery lags capital inflows. Total assets under management in digital asset investment products recovered to levels last observed in early February, suggesting institutional positioning has rebounded meaningfully from recent lows. The divergence between inflow momentum and trading volume warrants continued monitoring as it may signal cautious reallocation rather than conviction-driven accumulation.
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