Predictive Strength

Negligible
Bitcoin historically had 2.53% 30 days returns when ETF Net Flow was ▆ Low (0.2 - 0.4). It indicates average expected returns.
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BTC Price with ETF Net Flow

ETF Net Flow Predictive Strength Analysis

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▆ Very Low▆ Low▆ Moderate▆ High▆ Very High

Predictive Strength

Negligible

Measures the net flow of capital into ETFs.

Potential Edge

Institutional Sentiment Proxy

ETF flows act as a real-time gauge of institutional confidence. Sustained inflows signal bullish positioning by large investors (e.g., BlackRock, Fidelity), while outflows often precede bearish trends.

Liquidity Amplification or Contraction

Each $1 of ETF inflow injects liquidity into the market, reducing bid-ask spreads and slippage. Analysis shows that ETF-driven liquidity enables smoother large transactions (e.g., 10,000 BTC trades) with minimal price impact. Conversely, outflows tighten liquidity, exacerbating volatility during sell-offs.

Reflexive Feedback Loops

ETF flows create self-reinforcing cycles. Inflows attract more capital by validating bullish narratives, while outflows can spark deleveraging cascades.

Data Collection Methodology

ETF Net Flow data is sourced by tracking daily/monthly changes in shares outstanding and net asset value (NAV), adjusting for price movements to isolate pure capital inflows/outflows. This calculation typically involves comparing the current period's AUM changes against historical averages to create a normalized index. The final metric reflects relative capital movement intensity rather than absolute dollar values.

Read more about our methodology

Backtest (Strategy Performance) - Strategy

100.00%
1.00
100.00%
1.00
61.38%

To understand a predictive factors predictive power, we create a simple long/short strategy and simulate its past performance (with daily rebalancing):

  • Long when the predictive factor is above 0, with a position size equivalent to the predictive factor value.
  • Short when the predictive factor is below 0, with a position size equivalent to the predictive factor value.

The strategy is rebalanced daily, on a continuous basis. There are 0.5% transaction costs applied on each position adjustment.

Track this predictive factor on your dashboard

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Scatter plot - ETF Net Flow and BTC 30 and 90 Day Average Returns

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Our Methodology