Overseas ETF Investments by Korean Retail Investors Reach All-Time High of US$15.85 Billion in October

Press Release

LONDON — November 19, 2025 — ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm recognized for its expertise in subscription research, consulting services, global industry events, and ETF TV, announced today that overseas ETF investments by Korean retail investors reached an all-time high of US$15.85 billion in October beating the previous record of US$12.49 billion in November 2024.

During the month, 19 of the top 50 overseas securities purchased by Korean retail investors were U.S.-listed ETFs, a slight decrease from 21 in September, 23 in August, and 22 in July. (All dollar values in USD unless otherwise noted)

Starting in December, the Financial Supervisory Service FSS will require individual investors in Korea who wish to trade overseas-listed derivatives, leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or exchange-traded notes (ETNs) will be required to complete mandatory pre-investment education and participate in simulated trading sessions.

 
Highlights

  • Overseas ETF Investments by Korean Retail Investors Reach All-Time High of $15.85 Billion in October
  • 19 of the top 50 overseas securities purchased were U.S.-listed ETFs
  • 12 of the top 19 ETFs provided leveraged or inverse exposure
  • Largest purchase: $4.90 billion in Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1 ETF (U.S.-listed)

 

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

Sep-25

Oct-25

# ETFs purchased

26

22

25

30

32

28

26

22

23

21

19

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

9,478

15,846
                         

Source, Korea Securities Depository.                               

Top 10 overseas ETFs purchased in October

ETF Name

Purchase Amount in USD

INVESCO QQQ TRUST SRS 1 ETF

 4,902,110,731

SPDR SP 500 ETF TRUST

 2,429,709,005

DIREXION DAILY SEMICONDUCTORS BULL 3X SHS ETF

 1,946,082,978

DIREXION DAILY TSLA BULL 2X SHARES

 1,573,555,092

VANGUARD SP 500 ETF SPLR 39326002188 US9229084135

 952,356,117

VOLATILITY SHARES TRUST 2X ETHER ETF NEW SPLR 974476707 US92864M4006

 538,014,314

T-REX 2X LONG BMNR DAILY TARGET ETF

 460,843,088

DIREXION SEMICONDUCTOR BEAR 3X ETF

 367,785,843

GRANITESHARES 2.0X LONG NVDA DAILY ETF

 320,324,771

SPDR GOLD SHARES ETF

 300,464,763

                               Source, Korea Securities Depository.

 

The ETF industry in Korea has 1,431 ETFs, with assets of $206.08 Bn, from 39 providers listed on the Korea Exchange at the end of October 2025. 21.94% of the ETFs provide leverage or inverse exposure which account for 6.61% of the assets in the ETF industry in Korea.

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

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

 

Contact deborah.fuhr@etfgi.com if you have any questions or comments on the press release or ETFGI events, research or consulting services.

 

Register now to attend our 7th Annual ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summit – Canada on December 9 in Toronto at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)’s office!

The day will begin with an opening bell-ringing ceremony with the TMX Group to celebrate 35 years of ETFs in Canada, followed by a full-day of panel discussions featuring industry leaders.

The summit is designed as an educational event to foster deep, insightful discussions on the use, due diligence and selection and best trading practices for ETFs by financial advisors and institutional investors in Canada. Explore how regulatory changes are impacting product development including share classes, Active ETFs, Alternative ETFs, Crypto, digital assets and tokenisation and market structure.
 

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

  • Greg Benhaim, Executive Vice President of Product and Head of Trading, 3iQ Corp
  • Jean-René Carle-Mossdorf, Head of ETF Product Development, Desjardins
  • Raymond Chan, SVP, Investment Management Division, Ontario Securities Commission
  • Deborah Fuhr, Managing Partner, Founder, ETFGI
  • Valerie Grimba, Director, Head of Global ETF Strategy, RBC Capital Markets
  • Andrea Hallett, Vice President, Portfolio Manager, Mackenzie Investments 
  • Marchello Holditch, Head of Multi-Asset Solutions, BMO Global Asset Management
  • Stephen Hoffman, Managing Director, Exchange Traded Funds, RBC Global Asset Management
  • Pei-Ching Huang, Senior Legal Counsel, Investment Management Division, Ontario Securities Commission
  • Ronald C. Landry, Vice President, Head of Segment Solutions and Canadian ETF Services, CIBC Mellon
  • Jennifer Li, Director, Institutional ETF Sales, CIBC Capital Markets
  • Graham MacKenzie, Managing Director, Exchange Traded Products, TMX Group
  • Breiffni McCormack, Managing Director, Client Solutions, RBC Investor Services
  • Angela Nikolakakos, Head of Legal, Canada, Vanguard
  • Stephen Paglia, Vice President, Investment Management Division, Ontario Securities Commission 
  • Lindsay Patrick, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, RBC Capital Markets 
  • Grace Pereira, Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
  • Jeffrey Sardinha, Senior Vice President - Head of ETF Solutions – Americas, State Street
  • Raline Sexton, Director Digital Asset Business Strategy, MarketVector Indexes
  • Whitney Wakeling, Partner, Investment Management,  Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
  • Hail Yang, Director, iShares Strategy, BlackRock Canada
  • Mary Jane Young, Managing Director, TD Securities

SESSIONS INCLUDE:

  • Bell Ringing Ceremony with TMX Group
  • CSA ETF Consultation Update
  • Update on the Canadian ETF Market Landscape
  • Fireside Chat – Managing Career Transitions - In Partnership with Women in ETFs
  • How Regulations are Impacting ETFs and Investors
  • How Investors are Using ETFs
  • The Evolving Life Cycle of ETFs
  • Rise of Alternative Strategies in the ETF Wrapper
  • The Future of the Asset Management and ETFs industry
  • Trends in the ETFs Industry - ETFGI Research
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore key trends and network with industry leaders driving the future of ETFs. Register now to join us!

📅Event Date: Tuesday, December 9th
⏰Time: Full day event
📍Location: Borden Ladner Gervais’s office in Toronto
🆓Free Registration: For CFA members, buy-side institutional investors, and financial advisors.
  CPD Credits: Earn educational credits
📋View the agenda, speakers, and topics from last year's successful annual ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summit - Canada - https://rb.gy/rremx7
 

Register your interest in attending our 2026 ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summits:

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ETFGI 
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