Bitcoin ETFs fuel institutional surge, 21Shares' CIO sees $100K possible by year-end

CoinDesk News Share Share this article Copy link X icon X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook Email Bitcoin ETFs fuel institutional surge, 21Shares' CIO sees $100K possible by year-end Bitcoin’s growing ETF inflows and institutional adoption are reinforcing its role in portfolios, even as prices struggle below $80,000. By AI Boost | Edited by Jennifer Sanasie Apr 29, 2026, 3:03 p.m. Make preferred on Latest developments: ETF inflows are signaling renewed confidence from traditional investors. Spot Bitcoin ETFs have absorbed almost $2 billion year-to-date, 21Shares CIO Adrian Fritz said on CoinDesk's Public Keys Demand is coming from a mix of retail investors, institutions, and hedge funds using arbitrage and options strategies Morgan Stanley and other major asset managers entering crypto are accelerating institutional adoption Why it matters: Liquidity — long a concern for skeptics — is no longer a barrier. Bitcoin now rivals mega-cap equities like Nvidia, with daily trading volumes exceeding $50 billion, Fritz said ETF structures provide both primary and secondary market liquidity, making the asset “institutional ready” Portfolio managers are increasingly viewing bitcoin as a viable multi-asset allocation despite volatility concerns Reading between the lines: The ETF boom didn’t happen overnight. Adoption has been gradual, requiring education and comfort with crypto’s role in portfolios Investors are still grappling with correlations, volatility, and macro sensitivity The steady build in flows suggests a structural — not speculative — shift in demand What to watch: Several catalysts could push Bitcoin past the key $80K level. Improving geopolitical sentiment, including any resolution tied to global conflicts, could boost risk appetite Continued ETF inflows remain a core driver of structural demand Negative perpetual futures funding rates could trigger short squeezes on upward price moves A breakout above the 200-day moving average ($85K–$90K range) would signal a stronger trend reversal The big picture: Macro forces still dominate crypto’s trajectory. Investors are closely watching PCE inflation data and upcoming Fed decisions for policy direction Oil prices remain a driver — a spike above $100 could pressure risk assets, including bitcoin Adrian expects continued consolidation in the near term, with a move toward $100K by year-end if conditions align The altcoin angle: Not all crypto assets will benefit equally. Ethereum is struggling but showing signs of renewed ETF inflows after a weak first quarter “Altcoin season” may not return in its previous form, as investors adopt more fundamentals-driven approaches Projects with real revenue and cash flow, like Hyperliquid, are gaining traction with traditional investors Weaker altcoin ETFs could face closures if underlying projects fail to demonstrate strength Bitcoin News ETFs Media Network Interview AI Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards . For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy . More For You Stellar’s CMO says crypto must ditch hype and “get rich slow” to win mainstream trust By AI Boost | Edited by Sam Ewen 1 hour ago Stellar’s new marketing chief says crypto’s future hinges on long-term value creation, not hype cycles or technical jargon. Read full story Latest Crypto News Crypto Long & Short: Guide, deliver, repeat: the hidden driver of token performance 4 minutes ago Wall Street is launching the first ever prediction market ETFs for U.S. elections 36 minutes ago Wall Street is coming to Consensus Miami — and it’s not just to watch 59 minutes ago Stellar’s CMO says crypto must ditch hype and “get rich slow” to win mainstream trust 1 hour ago CoinDesk 20 performance update: Litecoin (LTC) gains 2.4%, leading index higher 1 hour ago DeFi shaken by $292 million hack, but showing resilience, Standard Chartered says 2 hours ago Top Stories There's a social media groundswell predicting bitcoin above $90,000. That might be a problem. 5 hours ago Bitcoin rebounds from key support as traders eye renewed push toward $80,000 4 hours ago Institutional money is coming for bitcoin, but Adam Back says it moves slower than you think 11 hours ago Tether leads Belo's $14 million raise to expand stablecoin payments across Latin America 3 hours ago Paul Tudor Jones calls bitcoin the 'best inflation hedge,' warns of overvalued stocks 19 hours ago 'Crypto Godfather' says bitcoin has not reached its bottom and a new all-time high is off the table for 2026 23 hours ago