Glassnode says bitcoin’s breakout to record highs came on the back of $2.2 billion in ETF inflows and steady accumulation from smaller holders, not speculative hype.
By Siamak Masnavi, AI Boost|Edited by Aoyon Ashraf
Oct 8, 2025, 3:47 p.m.

- Glassnode says bitcoin’s rally to new highs above $120,000 was driven by $2.2 billion in spot ETF inflows and renewed on-chain accumulation.
- Per on-chain data, smaller and mid-tier investors have been steadily buying, offsetting light profit-taking from larger whales.
- Despite strong fundamentals, the firm warns that rising leverage and funding rates above 8% could increase short-term volatility.
Bitcoin’s latest breakout is being fueled by institutions and steady on-chain demand rather than speculation, according to new data from Glassnode.
In the Oct. 8 edition of its “The Week On-chain” newsletter, the analytics firm said bitcoin’s surge to a new all-time high near $126,000 earlier this week was powered by strong ETF inflows and consistent accumulation from smaller market participants.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
The move pushed bitcoin into fresh price discovery before consolidating near $122,500 on Wednesday.
Glassnode said more than $2.2 billion flowed into U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs within a single week, marking one of the strongest waves of institutional buying since April.
Those inflows reversed the mild redemptions seen in September and helped absorb much of the available supply on exchanges.
The firm noted that the fourth quarter has historically been bitcoin’s most favorable season, as professional investors often rebalance portfolios toward higher-risk assets such as crypto and small-cap stocks.
Sustained ETF demand, it added, could continue to anchor prices as year-end approaches.
Glassnode’s on-chain data show that mid-tier holders, or wallets containing between 10 and 1,000 BTC, have been the main buyers behind the latest leg higher.
These accounts have apparently steadily increased their balances while larger whales have taken moderate profits, creating what the firm described as a “more organic accumulation phase.”
Nearly 97% of circulating supply is now in profit, a level that typically marks late-stage bull cycles but does not yet show signs of exhaustion.
The report highlighted the $117,000–$120,000 zone as a key area of on-chain support, with roughly 190,000 BTC last transacted there — a price range where new buyers may step in if markets pull back.
While Glassnode described market conditions as “robust but maturing,” it cautioned that futures open interest and funding rates have both risen sharply. It noted that annualized funding now exceeds 8%, suggesting a buildup of leveraged long positions that could heighten short-term fragility.
Even so, Glassnode argued that realized profits remain controlled compared with prior market tops, signaling that investors are rotating holdings rather than rushing to exit.
Overall, Glassnode said bitcoin’s structure remains sound, underpinned by institutional demand, deep liquidity, and broad-based accumulation.
The firm concluded that as long as ETF inflows persist, bitcoin’s rally could extend further into the fourth quarter, reinforcing its position as the most structurally supported uptrend in years.
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.
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