Bitcoin Inflows Slow as Investors Chase AI in 2026

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<a href="https://jpyeur.com/btc-usd/">Bitcoin</a> inflows slow sharply in 2026 as investors chase AI, Bernstein saysMarkets

What to know:

  • Bernstein noted that bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows have weakened in 2026 as retail investors flock to AI-related assets.
  • ETF outflows totaled $2.6 billion this year, which the broker views as relatively modest given AI’s dominance in markets.
  • A broader investor base spanning ETFs, corporates, wealth platforms and institutions has created a healthier market structure, the report said.

In this article

BTCBTC$63,271.85◢0.05%

According to Wall Street firm Bernstein, the recent drop in Bitcoin’s price isn’t due to fears about future technologies like quantum computing, but rather a decrease in the amount of money flowing into the cryptocurrency.

There’s increasing worry in the crypto world that future quantum computers could potentially compromise the security of Bitcoin. This concern has resurfaced recently, especially after Google research indicated it might take fewer computing resources than expected to break the encryption that protects blockchain systems.

So far this year, companies holding Bitcoin and Bitcoin ETFs have brought in around $12 billion, a significant drop from the $60 billion seen in 2025, according to recent data. While ETFs have experienced about $2.6 billion in net outflows from their $75 billion in assets, most of the new investment is coming from companies, with Strategy (MSTR) leading the way.

Bernstein analysts believe the recent slowdown in the crypto market is mainly because individual investors are focusing on opportunities related to artificial intelligence. They’ve observed that the best-performing cryptocurrencies this year are those linked to traditional assets like stocks and commodities.

Despite the unusual market trends driven by artificial intelligence this year, Bitcoin could still be a helpful way to diversify investments, according to analysts including Gautam Chhugani in a report released Monday.

Analysts are encouraged by the small amount of money leaving Bitcoin ETFs, suggesting that more people are holding Bitcoin for the long term rather than just trying to make a quick profit.

Bitcoin has had a tough few months, dropping in value from around $82,000 in early May to about $63,000 now – a decrease of over 20%. Last week, it briefly fell below $60,000, which was its lowest price since October 2024. Currently, it’s still about 50% below its peak price of around $126,000 reached in October 2025.

The recent decline is likely due to several factors: investors are pulling money out of ETFs, they’re becoming more cautious about risk, and they’re increasingly investing in artificial intelligence stocks and new, highly anticipated company offerings.

Today’s market is different from past ones. Instead of being driven mostly by individual investors, it now includes a wider range of players like ETFs, companies managing their funds, wealth management firms, pension funds, and even countries investing. This makes the market more stable and less prone to sudden swings, according to analysts.

Although bitcoin hasn’t generated as much buzz as AI-related investments this year, Bernstein believes its stability is actually a positive sign. They suggest that a lack of dramatic price swings doesn’t undermine bitcoin’s potential as a long-term store of value and could even indicate a more mature and reliable market.

According to a recent Citi report, the amount of money flowing into spot bitcoin ETFs accounts for about 45% of the weekly changes in Bitcoin’s price, and is currently the most reliable indicator of how widely investors are embracing the cryptocurrency.

The world’s largest cryptocurrency was trading around $62,600 at publication time.

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2026-06-09 16:20