December Sees Significant Inflows into Ethereum ETFs: Insights from ETFGI

In December, Ethereum-linked exchange-traded products (ETPs) emerged as key performers in the cryptocurrency market, with notable inflows reflecting heightened institutional interest. Both the Fidelity Ethereum Fund and the Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust ETF ranked among the top U.S. ETPs by net new assets. This trend marks a growing preference for Ethereum in institutional investment portfolios.

Key Takeaways

Ethereum-focused ETPs saw significant inflows in December, highlighting their popularity among investors.
The Fidelity Ethereum Fund led with $59.25 million in net inflows, while the Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust ETF followed with $39.21 million.
Unlike other products, Ethereum ETFs provide unleveraged, spot-linked exposure, catering to long-term investment strategies.
Bitcoin ETFs did not feature in the top inflow products for December, indicating a possible shift in investor interest toward Ethereum.
Overall, crypto ETPs continue to gain traction amid market volatility, reinforcing confidence in Ethereum's role within digital finance.

Ethereum price prediction

Ethereum ETFs Stand Out in December Inflows

According to ETFGI data, Ethereum-linked exchange-traded products were among the standout performers in the crypto sector during December. Two Ethereum-focused products secured spots in the top 10 U.S. exchange-traded products (ETPs) based on net new assets, highlighting their growing prominence alongside commodities and volatility-driven instruments during the month.

Fidelity and Grayscale: Top Contenders for Crypto ETF Inflows

The Fidelity Ethereum Fund (FETH US) achieved the highest net inflows among crypto-related products in December, attracting $59.25 million. Currently, the fund manages approximately $2.2 billion in assets, with year-to-date net inflows reaching $1.06 billion. This trend indicates steady accumulation from institutional investors throughout 2025.

Screenshot of cryptocurrency performance

The Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust ETF (ETH US) also performed well, garnering $39.21 million in net new assets during the same month. Its total assets under management now stand at around $2.15 billion, with nearly $887 million added over the year. While Ethereum ETFs may not have matched the inflows seen in leveraged commodity or volatility-linked products, their strong performance emphasizes Ethereum's increasing significance in institutional portfolios.

Increasing Preference for Spot Crypto Exposure

In December, major inflows were primarily observed in leveraged and volatility-based ETPs, such as inverse silver and VIX-linked products, reflecting investor uncertainty in broader macro markets. In contrast, Ethereum ETFs provide unleveraged, spot-linked exposure, positioning them as more appropriate for long-term investment rather than short-term trades.

Market participants are increasingly viewing regulated Ethereum ETFs as viable avenues to invest in blockchain infrastructure themes, which include tokenization, stablecoins, and decentralized finance, all without the complexities of direct custody.

Absence of Bitcoin ETFs from December's Top Inflows

Interestingly, spot Bitcoin ETFs did not make it onto the list of the top 10 products by net new assets in December. This absence may indicate a pause in Bitcoin allocations after previous strong inflows, or it might signify a relative shift in investor interest towards Ethereum as a complementary digital asset.

Recent data from CoinShares shows a recovery in January, as digital asset investment products captured $2.17 billion in inflows last week—the strongest weekly inflow since October 2025. Bitcoin continued to lead in this space, attracting $1.55 billion, reinforcing its status as a primary gateway for institutional investors into digital assets during uncertain market conditions.

Crypto ETFs Maintaining Stability Amid Market Volatility

Despite a volatile macro environment that favored commodities and volatility products in December, Ethereum ETFs exhibited resilience, sustaining consistent asset growth as the year wrapped up. According to ETFGI data, crypto ETPs remain a small yet increasingly reliable segment of the U.S. ETF market.

The December figures further cement Ethereum's position as a leading alternative to Bitcoin within regulated investment products, showcasing ongoing institutional faith in the asset's long-term viability in the world of digital finance.