Bitcoin ETFs Lose Steam as IBKR Launches Ethereum Staking

The US crypto market started the week on the defensive. Bitcoin slipped under pressure from ETF redemptions and hawkish central bank commentary, while a major American brokerage moved in the opposite direction by adding yield-bearing Ethereum products for its clients.

Bitcoin Dips Below $81,000 as ETF Money Leaves

Bitcoin opened Monday near $83,300 and gave back ground through the US trading session. It printed a low just under $81,000 before buyers stepped in and pulled the price back toward the $83,000 area on Tuesday morning. Ether fell harder than Bitcoin, trading around $2,450 at its weakest point of the session.

US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded roughly $65 million in net outflows on Monday, all of it from BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust. Spot Ethereum funds also continued to see redemptions, extending a losing stretch that has defined much of October.

Hawkish Fed Tone Keeps Risk Appetite in Check

The macro backdrop did little to help. Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack reinforced the case for keeping monetary policy restrictive, and the 10-year US Treasury yield remained above 5%, which weighs on high-valuation assets. The global crypto market capitalization fell about 2% to roughly $2.85 trillion, while the Fear & Greed Index cooled from 69 to 57.

Leverage amplified the move. Around $672 million in positions were liquidated over 24 hours, with the vast majority being long bets. Traders are now looking ahead to the September Consumer Price Index report, which could shape expectations for the Fed's next steps.

Interactive Brokers Opens Ethereum Staking to Clients

On October 13, Interactive Brokers announced that eligible clients can now stake Ethereum directly from the brokerage's Client Portal. The service runs through a dedicated Staking Dashboard, where users can submit staking and unstaking requests and track pending activity. The technical side is handled by crypto infrastructure provider zerohash.

Rewards are credited as additional staked ETH, which means they can compound while the position remains staked. CEO Milan Galik compared the product to the firm's Stock Yield Enhancement Program, framing staking as a way for clients to earn more from assets they already own. Ethereum is the only supported asset at launch.

What It Means for US Investors

The two stories point in different directions, and together they show where the market stands. Short-term traders are reducing exposure through ETFs as rate expectations stay tight. At the same time, traditional brokerages keep building crypto infrastructure, a sign that long-term demand for regulated access has not disappeared.

Investors should remember that staking rewards are not guaranteed. Staked assets stay exposed to price volatility, and activation or withdrawal can involve waiting periods. This article is for information only and is not financial advice.

What to Watch Next

The September CPI release is the next major test for risk assets. Interactive Brokers also reports third-quarter results on October 15, and investors will be listening for any comments on client demand for digital assets. ETF flow data in the coming sessions will show whether Monday's outflows were a one-day reaction or the start of a longer trend.