Boomers Choose to Hold BTC Instead of Trading — Bitcoin ETF Assets Surpass $120 Billion

The emergence of Bitcoin ETFs (exchange-traded funds) is increasingly characterized by long-term investment, as opposed to speculative trading.

Key Takeaways:

Bitcoin ETF assets have surpassed $120 billion, indicating strong institutional interest.
Many older investors (Boomers) are adopting a long-term holding strategy for Bitcoin.
A significant majority of financial advisors plan to either maintain or increase their crypto investments next year.
Current demand is expected to outpace supply, but prices have not yet skyrocketed, similar to historical trends seen with gold.
A potential shift in Bitcoin's price dynamics may occur if selling pressures diminish, leading to a possible supply vacuum.

As net assets for US spot Bitcoin ETFs near $120 billion, analysts suggest that the profile of holders—and their behaviors—are subtly altering Bitcoin’s supply-demand landscape, which might not immediately affect price movements.

Bitcoin ETF Net Assets Reach Over $120 Billion

According to data from the crypto research platform SoSoValue, as of January 14, the total net assets for spot Bitcoin ETFs stood at $123 billion, following inflows of $753 million. This surge marks the highest influx since October 7, 2025, indicating a robust interest from institutional investors after Monday’s inflows of $117 million.

Bitcoin ETF Flows
Source: SoSoValue

Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas contends that the recent flows into ETFs signal a foundational change in investor behavior, particularly among older investors. He noted on X, “This aligns with the stickiness of the assets. Boomers are not looking to flip their positions. If you're investing in BTC, data suggests a commitment of at least four years is wise, akin to a self-imposed lock-up period.”

This perspective challenges the notion that Bitcoin ETF inflows are short-term or driven by momentum. Instead, it appears that an increasing portion of demand is being generated by investors who view Bitcoin as a strategic investment, akin to gold and silver rather than a volatile tech asset.

Additionally, fresh survey results from Bitwise and VettaFi support this notion. According to Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan, 99% of financial advisors who allocated resources to crypto in 2025 intend to retain or boost their exposure in 2026.

(Source: Bitwise/VettaFi Benchmark Survey)

This data from the 8th annual Bitwise/VettaFi Benchmark Survey indicates that financial advisors are gaining confidence in crypto investments, even after Bitcoin's substantial price increase.

Understanding Bitcoin’s Current Price Stability and Future Outlook

The sustained demand for Bitcoin is reflected in on-chain supply statistics. Since the inception of US spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024, the funds have collectively acquired more than 100% of the newly mined Bitcoin.

In simpler terms, the demand from ETFs has outstripped the supply of newly minted Bitcoin, yet prices have not skyrocketed. Hougan highlights that this disconnect can be easily misinterpreted. He drew a comparison to gold’s multi-year price surge, which reached its peak in 2025.

Hougan stated, “Bitcoin’s price could exponentially increase if ETF demand remains strong,” referencing how central bank gold purchases surged after 2022 but took years to fully influence prices. Gold rose just 2% in 2022, followed by 13% in 2023 and 27% in 2024, before leaping by 65% in 2025. He explains that during the initial years, the demand was met by sellers willing to part with their gold.

He noted that, “Eventually, those willing sellers ran out, and as demand continued, prices surged.”

The Bitwise executive asserts that Bitcoin ETFs may be on a similar trajectory. While these ETFs have been buying more Bitcoin than what is newly mined since their launch, existing long-term holders and early investors have been selling coins into this demand, maintaining relatively stable prices amid significant institutional inflows.

The critical question—whether this selling pressure may lessen—could present both risks and opportunities. As buyers of ETFs increasingly act like long-term holders rather than traders, analysts predict Bitcoin may be poised for a significant price shift. Years of steady accumulation could lead to a sudden gap in supply.

If historical patterns hold, the real effects of the Bitcoin ETF explosion may not yet be apparent, but when they surface, the impact could be swift and substantial.