Asia ETF News for the Past Year
Hong Kong Investors Pay Over HK$7.3 Billion in Annual Trading Fees, 65% of Investors Underestimate Impact of Trading fees on Returns, The Era of AI Agentic Trading Could Further Amplify Trading Friction
June 11, 2026- Hong Kong investors pay an estimated HK$7.34 billion in total trading fees each year for Hong Kong and US stock transactions, averaging HK$2,094 per person annually. According to the 2026 Hong Kong Investor Trading Behavior Study, trading fees have become a major factor affecting investment returns -yet most investors continue to underestimate their long-term impact.
As artificial intelligence (AI) technology rapidly evolves, global financial markets are entering a new era of agentic trading.
However, for retail investors to truly benefit from the potential of intelligent trading, trading friction must first be significantly reduced. Webull Securities Limited ("Webull HK"), a subsidiary of Webull Corporation (NASDAQ: BULL), the owner of the Webull trading platform, today released the 2026 Hong Kong Investor Trading Behavior Study, conducted by independent market research firm Ipsos.
The study systematically analyses the trading habits, fee awareness and platform selection criteria of Hong Kong retail investors and quantifies the impact of trading fees on long-term investment returns
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Source: Webull Securities Limited
Japanese Retail Investor Access Surges as U.S.-Listed ETFs Registered for Sale in Japan Expand by Nearly 50% Since 2023
June 4, 2026- ETFGI reports Retail Investor Access Surges as U.S.-Listed ETFs Registered for Sale in Japan Expand by Nearly 50% Since 2023. The number of U.S.-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) registered for sale in Japan has increased significantly over the past three years, underscoring a fundamental transformation in the country's retail investment landscape.
ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm renowned for its expertise in subscription research, consulting services, events, and ETF TV on global ETF industry trends.
Based on data collected from the websites of major Japanese brokerages as of May 4, 2026, total ETF availability across comparable platforms has grown by 47.7% since 2023, rising from 1,960 to 2,895 listings. Including Daiwa Securities, total availability reaches 2,961 ETFs, representing an increase of more than 51%.
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Source: ETFGI
Korean Retail Investors Continue to Be Active Purchasers of Overseas Listed ETFs in April
June 3, 2026- ETFGI reported today that U.S.-listed ETFs accounted for 22 of the top 50 overseas securities purchased by Korean retail investors in April 2026, down from 28 in March, 29 in February, and 24 in January 2026.
Korean retail investors purchased US$7.31 billion in top overseas ETFs in April 2026, well below the peak observed in October 2025, when purchases reached a record US$15.85 billion. (All dollar values in USD unless otherwise noted)
Highlights
Korean retail investors purchased US$7.31 billion and sold US$8.53 billion of the top overseas ETFs in April 2026
22 of the top 50 overseas securities purchased were U.S.-listed ETFs
12 of the top 22 ETFs provided leveraged or inverse exposure
The largest purchase was US$2.39 billion in Direxion Daily Semiconductors Bull 3X Shares ETF
The largest sale was US$4.29 billion in Direxion Daily Semiconductors Bull 3X Shares ETF
The largest net purchase settlement was US$398.64 million in Direxion Shares ETF Trust Daily Semiconductor Bear 3X Shares
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Source: ETFGI
CSOP Debuts Inaugural Tokenised Money Market Fund Offering
June 3, 2026-Partners with HSBC to Launch Hong Kong Dollar Money Market ETF Tokenised Class
Signs an MoU with OSL for Exclusive VATP Onboarding Collaboration
CSOP Asset Management Limited ("CSOP"), Hong Kong's largest ETF issuer[1], announced today it has partnered with HSBC to launch its inaugural money market ETF unlisted tokenised class. The asset manager has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with OSL to collaborate on an exclusive basis in onboarding the unlisted tokenised class of the money market ETF.
By seamlessly integrating the traditional money market fund into blockchain ecosystem, this new offering provides investors with a flexible and compliant option for "on-chain" yield generation.
CSOP Hong Kong Dollar Money Market ETF (Stock Code: 3053.HK) Unlisted Tokenised Class allows investors to invest in CSOP's Hong Kong Dollar money market fund via digital tokens for the first time.
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Source: CSOP Asset Management
Taiwan Market Cap Reaches New High as TWSE Showcases AI Strengths at COMPUTEX
June 2, 2026-Transforming from an exchange to an accelerator; connecting international capital to Taiwan's next wave of AI innovation
Taiwan's market capitalization surpassed the US$5 trillion mark at the end of May 2026, reaching a historic high and reinforcing the market's position among the world's leading exchanges.
The milestone reflects the accelerating momentum across Taiwan's capital markets, which is driven by the AI-led growth spanning semiconductors, hardware, and next-generation applications.
The Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) is deepening its strategic focus on attracting high-growth technology companies and enabling the next phase of industrial transformation. In 2026, nearly 40 companies will apply for listing on TWSE, with more than 15 coming from the AI supply chain.
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Source: Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE)
Korea Investment & Securities Launches Four New ETNs Tracking Solactive Gold and Silver Total Return Leveraged Indices
May 27, 2026--Korea Investment & Securities Co., Ltd. launched four new ETNs tracking the Solactive Gold Total Return 1x Long Leverage Index, Solactive Gold Total Return 1x Short Leverage Index, Solactive Silver Total Return 1x Long Leverage Index, and Solactive Silver Total Return 1x Short Leverage Index, respectively.
The products are designed to provide exposure to the performance of gold and silver futures strategies through transparent and rules-based index methodologies.
Gold and silver continue to be closely monitored by market participants, particularly during periods of macroeconomic uncertainty, geopolitical developments, and changing interest rate expectations. As widely recognized precious metals and portfolio diversifiers, both assets remain important reference points in global financial markets. In this context, listed products linked to gold and silver indices can provide standardized exposure to defined precious metals futures strategies.
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Source: Solactive
China economic database
May 27, 2026-- This month- highlighting the People's Bank of China's monetary policy plateau. After several years of steady easing, China's main benchmark rates and bank liquidity requirements have remained largely unchanged for about a year. The one-year loan prime rate has been held at 3.0% and the five-year loan prime rate at 3.5%, while the 7-day reverse repo rate (which sets short-term liquidity rates for banks) has remained at 1.4%.
Reserve requirement ratios, which determine how much cash banks must hold rather than lend out, have also flattened, with the ratio for major banks at about 9% and that for smaller banks at about 6%. The medium-term lending facility, the PBOC's one-year funding tool for banks and formerly a key policy-rate signal, has also plateaued after years of decline.
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Source: bruegel.org
Global X Japan Launches Four Metals-Themed ETFs Tracking Solactive Indices
May 27, 2026--Solactive is pleased to further expand its partnership with Global X Japan Co. Ltd. (Global X Japan) through the launch of four new metals-themed ETFs on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The new range offers investors targeted access to copper miners, silver miners, and silver spot, including a JPY-hedged exposure tailored to the Japanese market.
Copper and silver have attracted renewed investor attention against a backdrop of rising structural demand linked to electrification, renewable energy deployment, and AI-related infrastructure expansion.
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Source: Solactive
VT Markets Adds 39 US Stocks and ETFs Spanning AI, Space, and Energy
May 25, 2026-VT Markets, a leading global multi-asset trading platform, has expanded its product offering with the addition of 39 new US stocks and ETFs, bringing its total lineup to more than 500 US-listed stocks and ETFs.
The latest additions come as global markets increasingly rotate towards thematic and macro-driven trading opportunities, with strong market interest in artificial intelligence (AI), energy infrastructure, semiconductors, and regional growth markets. Retail traders are also seeking more targeted exposure beyond traditional blue-chip equities as market momentum broadens across multiple sectors.
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Source: VT Markets
Pathfinder Global Responsibility Fund and Pathfinder Global Water Fund Track Solactive Indices
May 20, 2026-Solactive announces its collaboration with Pathfinder Asset Management, as the Pathfinder Global Responsibility Fund and the Pathfinder Global Water Fund track the Solactive GBS Developed Markets ex Australia Large & Mid Cap 50% Hedged to NZD Index NTR and the Solactive GBS Developed Markets Water All Cap 50% Hedged to NZD Index NTR, respectively.
As demand for transparent and rules-based benchmark solutions continues, index design remains a relevant consideration for asset managers seeking to reflect specific regional, sector, and currency characteristics. In this context, Solactive provides index solutions across a broad range of investment objectives while maintaining a consistent, rules-based framework.
The Solactive GBS Developed Markets ex Australia Large & Mid Cap 50% Hedged to NZD Index forms part of Solactive's GBS Hedged Index Series
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Source: Solactive
