Professional investors dumped 52K BTC worth of ETFs in Q1, filings show

Written by Sam Bourgistaff writerReviewed by Robert Lakinstaff editorWritten by Sam Bourgistaff writerReviewed by Robert Lakinstaff editorProfessional investors dumped 52K BTC worth of ETFs in Q1, filings showLatest NewsPublishedJun 4, 2026US spot Bitcoin ETF ownership shifted during the market downturn as hedge funds exited positions, while banks and long-term allocators continued building exposure.Professional ownership of US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) declined sharply in the first quarter as Bitcoin’s bear market deepened, suggesting that trading-oriented institutions were a significant source of selling pressure during the downturn.A new report by CoinShares analyzing quarterly 13F filings — regulatory disclosures that reveal the equity holdings of investment managers with at least $100 million in assets — found that professional investors reduced their Bitcoin ETF exposure to 261,000 BTC from 313,000 BTC in the first quarter, a 17% decline.The combined value of those holdings fell 35% to $17.8 billion, while the share of total US Bitcoin ETF assets held by 13F filers declined to 20.8% from 24.7%.“This dataset is consistent with what bitcoin markets have historically looked like in drawdowns,” CoinShares digital asset analyst Matt Kimmell wrote in the report. “Leveraged and tactical strategies unwind.”The selling was heavily concentrated among hedge funds and brokerages, which accounted for roughly 96% of the reduction in exposure. Hedge funds cut their holdings by 31,400 BTC, or 39%, while brokerages reduced exposure by 18,800 BTC, a 53% decline.In contrast, investment advisors — the largest professional cohort with 150,300 BTC in holdings — reduced exposure by just 5.9%. Banks more than doubled their Bitcoin ETF holdings, adding 7,800 BTC during the quarter.The decline in professional ownership coincided with a sharp correction in Bitcoin’s price. The asset's value fell 22% during Q1, extending declines from late 2025 and briefly dropping bel…

Professional investors dumped 52K BTC worth of ETFs in Q1, filings show

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