Institutional investments in crypto are outpacing those of individual investors, with data beginning to support the recent rally in bitcoin prices. According to CoinShares, digital asset investment products saw $1.2 billion in inflows last week, marking the fourth consecutive week of gains.
The total assets under management for crypto funds rose to $155 billion, the highest since February 1, although still significantly lower than the $263 billion peak in October 2025. Bitcoin alone attracted $933 million in investments, taking its year-to-date total to $4 billion, while Ether saw $192 million in inflows, its third consecutive week above $190 million. Blockchain equity ETFs, which invest in publicly traded companies involved in crypto infrastructure, are also gaining traction, with $617 million in inflows over the past three weeks, including a record weekly figure.
This surge in demand for indirect exposure to crypto suggests that investors who cannot or will not hold bitcoin directly are turning to equity-based investments in the sector. Bitcoin's price reached $79,399 before falling back to $77,705, a level that will be closely watched as it approaches the $80,000 mark, where buyers from January and February will start to break even. The upcoming week will be crucial in determining whether institutional investments can sustain the current price level or if a third rejection from $79,000 will establish a trading range.
The earnings reports from major tech companies, including Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Apple, which account for roughly a quarter of the S&P 500's market capitalization, will also play a significant role in shaping the market's direction. Strong earnings could propel crypto prices higher, potentially pushing bitcoin above $80,000, while disappointing results could lead to a decline in prices.