Korean retail investors continue to be active purchasers of overseas listed ETFs in June

Press Release

LONDON — July 24, 2025 —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, reported today that in June 2025, 26 of the top 50 overseas securities purchased by Korean retail investors were U.S.-listed ETFs. This marks a slight decline from 28 ETFs in May, 32 in April, and 30 in March.

 

In terms of volume, Korean retail investors purchased US$9.66 billion in overseas ETFs in June. The peak month so far in 2025 was April, with a record USD 12.08 billion in ETF purchases. (All dollar values in USD unless otherwise noted)

 

Highlights

  • Korean retail investors purchased $9.66 billion in overseas ETFs in June
  • 26 of the top 50 overseas purchase were ETFs listed in the United States
  • 17of the top 26 ETFs on the list provide leverage or inverse exposure.
  • The largest purchase was $2.58 Bn of DIREXION DAILY TSLA BULL 2X SHARES listed in the U.S.

 

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

# ETFs purchased

26

22

25

30

32

28

26

Total amount of ETF purchases (US$ Mn)

11,773

9,992

9,366

9,942

12,076

9,904

9,664

Source, Korea Securities Depository.

 

 

                                Top 10 overseas ETFs purchased in June

ETF Name

Purchase Amount in USD

DIREXION DAILY TSLA BULL 2X SHARES

 2,575,274,762

SPDR SP 500 ETF TRUST

 1,496,276,095

DIREXION DAILY SEMICONDUCTORS BULL 3X SHS ETF

 1,384,294,310

DIREXION SEMICONDUCTOR BEAR 3X ETF

 669,344,845

PROSHARES ULTRAPRO QQQ ETF

 307,390,839

VS TRUST 2X LONG VIX FUTURES ETF NEW SPLR 969626124 US92891H5072

 307,313,667

VOLATILITY SHARES TRUST 2X ETHER ETF NEW SPLR 974476707 US92864M4006

 276,134,549

PROSHARES TRUST ULTRAPRO SHORT QQQ NEW 2022

 255,744,299

ISHARES 0-3 MONTH TREASURY BOND ETF

 234,753,243

GRANITESHARES 2.0X LONG NVDA DAILY ETF

 233,981,299

                               Source, Korea Securities Depository.

 

The ETF industry in Korea has 1,370 ETFs, with assets of $167.38 Bn, from 38 providers listed on the Korea Exchange at the end of June 2025. 23.07% of the ETFs provide leverage or inverse exposure which account for 7.74% of the assets in the ETF industry in Korea.

Asset Growth in Korea ETF industry as of the end of June

https://etfgi.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image/public/source_3.png?itok=sw3zyEon

 

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