ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm specializing in subscription-based research, consulting services, industry events, and ETF TV, reported today that Korean retail investors continued their robust participation in overseas-listed ETFs during August 2025. Of the top 50 overseas securities purchased, 23 were U.S.-listed ETFs, a slight uptick from 22 in July, though down from 26 in June and 28 in May.
In terms of volume, Korean retail investors acquired US$8.43 billion in overseas ETFs in August. The highest monthly volume in 2025 remains April, with a record US$12.08 billion in ETF purchases. (All dollar figures are in USD unless otherwise noted. Source, Korea Securities Depository.)
Key Highlights:
- Korean retail investors purchased US$8.43 billion in overseas ETFs in August.
- 23 of the top 50 overseas securities purchased were U.S.-listed ETFs.
- 14 of the top 23 ETFs offered leveraged or inverse exposure.
- The largest single purchase was US$2.01 billion of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust.
Total Amount of overseas ETFs purchased by Korean retail investors by month in 2025
|
Dec-24 |
Jan-25 |
Feb-25 |
Mar-25 |
Apr-25 |
May-25 |
Jun-25 |
Jul-25 |
Aug-25 |
|
|
# ETFs purchased |
26 |
22 |
25 |
30 |
32 |
28 |
26 |
22 |
23 |
|
Total amount of ETF purchases (US$ Mn) |
11,773 |
9,992 |
9,366 |
9,942 |
12,076 |
9,904 |
9,664 |
7,489 |
8,433 |
Source, Korea Securities Depository.
Top 10 overseas ETFs purchased in August
|
ETF Name |
Purchase Amount in USD |
|
SPDR SP 500 ETF TRUST |
2,009,561,177 |
|
DIREXION DAILY SEMICONDUCTORS BULL 3X SHS ETF |
1,364,535,336 |
|
DIREXION DAILY TSLA BULL 2X SHARES |
620,660,710 |
|
INVESCO QQQ TRUST SRS 1 ETF |
537,579,988 |
|
VOLATILITY SHARES TRUST 2X ETHER ETF NEW SPLR 974476707 US92864M4006 |
431,279,579 |
|
DIREXION SEMICONDUCTOR BEAR 3X ETF |
374,404,724 |
|
VS TRUST 2X LONG VIX FUTURES ETF NEW SPLR 969626124 US92891H5072 |
329,311,054 |
|
ISHARES 20+ YEAR TREASURY BOND ETF |
316,115,304 |
|
VANGUARD SP 500 ETF SPLR 39326002188 US9229084135 |
265,556,238 |
|
ISHARES 0-3 MONTH TREASURY BOND ETF |
262,724,580 |
Source, Korea Securities Depository.
The ETF industry in Korea has 1,403 ETFs, with assets of $178.34 Bn, from 39 providers listed on the Korea Exchange at the end of August 2025. 22.67% of the ETFs provide leverage or inverse exposure which account for 6.96% of the assets in the ETF industry in Korea.
Asset Growth in Korea ETF industry as of the end of August
