Lawrence Jengar
Jun 02, 2026 10:59
Digital asset treasury inflows fell 95% in May 2026, hitting their lowest since October 2024. Here’s how ETFs and NAV pressure are reshaping the market.
Monthly inflows into digital asset treasuries (DATs) plummeted to just $180 million in May 2026, marking a 95% drop from April’s $4.4 billion, according to DefiLlama data. This is the lowest monthly figure since October 2024 and a sharp divergence from the $4.2 billion and $4.4 billion recorded in March and April, respectively.
The crash underscores deepening challenges for the DAT model, where companies raise capital to accumulate cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Bitcoin treasuries dominated May’s inflows, accounting for $177 million (98%) of the total, though this was still a steep decline from April’s $3.8 billion. Non-Bitcoin assets barely moved the needle, with ZCash, Story, and Sui making minor contributions, and Litecoin seeing a $1.89 million outflow.
ETFs and NAV Pressure Force Rethink of Passive Models
The inflow collapse comes amid increasing scrutiny on DATs, which now face competition from exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mounting pressure to move beyond passive token holding. ETFs, offering low-cost and liquid crypto exposure, are capping the premiums that DAT equities can charge over their net asset value (NAV). Arthur Firstov, chief business officer at Mercuryo, explained that ETFs “impose a permanent ceiling” on such premiums, forcing treasury firms to justify their valuations every quarter.
These dynamics are particularly tough on companies heavily reliant on BTC or ETH, as staking and DeFi strategies aimed at generating yield often fall short of offsetting operational inefficiencies or equity dilution. “You can’t math your way out of a bad balance sheet with a 3% to 5% staking yield,” Firstov added.
This aligns with a broader shift in the sector. Galaxy Digital, a financial services company, has argued that the “raise-and-hold” era for DATs is over. Instead of simply stockpiling tokens, treasury firms are being pushed to explore staking, validator infrastructure, and other active strategies to generate cash flow.
From Bitcoin to Altcoins: A Shifting Landscape
The DAT model, which took off in the early 2020s, initially centered around Bitcoin as the primary reserve asset. Companies like MicroStrategy popularized the concept, raising fiat capital to exchange for BTC as a hedge against inflation. However, the strategy broadened in 2025–2026 to include altcoins like Ethereum, Solana, and ecosystem-specific tokens such as Injective.
This diversification mirrors a broader trend toward infrastructure-grade adoption. For instance, on May 7, 2026, Treasure Global established an Ethereum-based treasury, signaling a shift toward compliance-driven, institutional-grade custody solutions. But even this evolution hasn’t insulated the sector from the headwinds of ETF competition and NAV compression.
Can Active Management Save the Model?
Staking has emerged as a potential lifeline for DATs, particularly for firms holding proof-of-stake assets. According to a May 2026 report from Everstake, staking now accounts for an average of 60% of revenue among six treasury companies that disclose staking-related income. Yet, the strategy has its limits, especially for firms with high operational costs or persistent equity dilution.
For investors, the takeaway is clear: the DAT model is evolving. Passive accumulation is no longer enough to sustain valuations, and the rise of ETFs has fundamentally altered the competitive landscape. Companies that fail to adapt risk being priced out of the market, while those that embrace active strategies could redefine what a digital asset treasury looks like in the years to come.
As the crypto market matures, the question isn’t whether DATs will survive—but which ones will thrive in this new environment.
Image source: Shutterstock
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