Cryptocurrency funds saw $1.07 billion in outflows from May 11-15, driven by geopolitical concerns, with Bitcoin and Ethereum leading the withdrawals.
Between May 11 and May 15, cryptocurrency investment products witnessed substantial outflows totaling $1.07 billion, marking the first withdrawal in seven weeks and ranking as the third largest of 2026.
Crypto ETPs and ETFs faced outflows of $1.1 billion last week. Bitcoin experienced $982 million in outflows, while Ethereum saw $249 million, its highest since January 30. Notably, altcoins remained relatively stable, with XRP recording inflows of $67.6 million and Solana at $55.1 million.
— CoinShares (@CoinSharesCo) May 18, 2026
CoinShares reported a decline in total assets under management from $159 billion to $157 billion, primarily affecting Bitcoin and Ethereum. The downturn is attributed to investor apprehensions about increasing geopolitical risks, particularly concerning Iran.
Bitcoin and Ethereum Drive Outflows
Bitcoin-focused funds lost $982 million, reducing year-to-date net inflows to $3.9 billion. Ethereum investments saw outflows of $249 million, the largest since late January, while blockchain ETFs also faced a $133 million withdrawal.
Despite the negative trends, discussions around the CLARITY Act in the U.S. provided some support, leading to a temporary positive inflow of $174 million on Thursday.
Shift Toward Altcoins
In contrast to the general outflows, several altcoins showed strong demand, with significant inflows reported for:
- XRP: $67.6 million
- Solana: $55.1 million
- Toncoin: $7.7 million
- Sui: $4.7 million
- Ondo: $4.1 million
- Chainlink: $3.9 million
- Dogecoin: $3.2 million
Overall, 11 different assets experienced positive capital flows, indicating a more selective investment strategy among investors.
Regional Trends: U.S. Sells, Europe Buys
The U.S. was the primary source of outflows, totaling $1.14 billion, whereas European markets maintained a more optimistic outlook. Switzerland gained $22.8 million, Germany $22 million, and the Netherlands $7.5 million, while Canada saw outflows of $12.6 million.
For context, inflows into cryptocurrency exchange-traded products were robust from May 4 to 8, totaling $857.9 million.
