Bitcoin ETF Holdings by Advisors Reach $17 Billion in the US

For years, Bitcoin and Ethereum were seen mainly as assets for retail investors. But with the success of spot ETFs in the United States, a different crowd is now driving the market: financial advisors.

Good to Know

• US financial advisors now dominate holdings in both Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.
• Bitcoin ETF exposure has reached $17 billion, equal to 161,000 BTC.
• Ethereum ETF holdings hit $1.3 billion, covering 539,000 ETH.

ETF analyst James Seyffart recently noted that financial advisors “dominate” the crypto ETF market. The numbers back it up. In the second quarter of 2025, advisors held $1.3 billion worth of Ethereum ETFs, representing 539,000 ETH — a sharp 68% increase compared to the previous quarter.

The same trend is even stronger with Bitcoin. Advisors control $17 billion through ETFs, or roughly 161,000 BTC. That makes them by far the largest holders in this investment vehicle, outpacing retail demand.

This matters because retail traders, who were the driving force in earlier bull runs, appear less active in the current cycle. As a result, the price momentum of Bitcoin is leaning more heavily on institutional flows. If advisors and fund managers continue buying, it could support further growth.

Vincent Liu of Kronos Research sees it as more than short-term speculation. He said that these ETF flows tell a story and that the crypto market is leaving behind the era of speculative capital and increasingly seeing Bitcoin and Ether bought for the long term.

According to Liu, Bitcoin and other digital assets are being added into traditional portfolios in ways that once seemed unlikely. Not long ago, many expected governments to outlaw Bitcoin, banks to reject it, and the financial industry to stay away entirely. Today, the opposite is playing out — institutions are embracing it, even as some individuals use this rally to take profits.

The shift shows how Bitcoin is becoming a long-term asset for fund managers, companies, and even governments, while retail investors step back. That change in who holds the majority of supply could reshape the rhythm of future crypto cycles