Bitcoin ETFs snag 172 million in July as recovery stalls

Bitcoin ETFs finally caught a break in July, pulling in $172.4 million in net inflows to break a brutal dry spell. It wasn't an easy win. The month started with a flurry of buying, but that momentum hit a wall as investors dumped shares during a late-month selloff. Despite the green monthly candle, the yearly math looks ugly. Total flows for the year remain stuck at a $5.3 billion deficit after massive liquidations dominated the books in May and June. The market is still digging its way out of the hole left by springtime panics and regulatory jitters. Traders are watching the August open to see if institutional appetite can actually sustain a rally or if the recent selling was just the start of another slide. Can these funds flip the yearly total back to positive before the Q3 close?