ETF Inflows, the Nasdaq 100 Fee War, & Launches

Record ETF inflows and a new fee war in the Nasdaq 100 category were among the highlights on this week’s ETF Prime. Host Nate Geraci welcomed Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, followed by Brian Walsh, head of advice and planning at SoFi.

Key Takeaways:

• ETF inflows crossed $1.1 trillion in 2026 with over 800 new funds launched, setting a record pace.
• The RANK ETF bridges fundamental and technical analysis through a rules-based, index-based strategy.
• SoFi’s new SFYI ETF generates monthly income from the top 50 stocks held by the firm’s members.

Rosenbluth called 2026’s first-half inflows “bonkers,” noting 2020’s full-year record stood at just $500 billion. The industry has since crossed $1.1 trillion and launched over 800 new ETFs. The VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF (VFLO) reached $8 billion before its third anniversary.

Fixed income is the year’s quiet standout. About $340 billion has flowed into bond ETFs per FactSet data. The iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV) ranks among the year’s top 10 inflow leaders. So does the Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund ETF (BND).

Nasdaq 100 Competition and New ETF Launches

The iShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (IQQ) recently entered at 12 basis points, net 10 through July 2027. The State Street SPDR Portfolio Nasdaq 100 ETF (QNDX) offers a permanent 10 basis points. The Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) recently crossed $100 billion in assets. Rosenbluth expected Invesco to cut its fee to 12 basis points within six months.

Rosenbluth also spotlighted the Defiance KSM TipRanks Analyst ETF (RANK). The fund blends TipRanks fundamental ratings with momentum signals in a rules-based index. In backtests, RANK outperformed the iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM). It also beat the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT).

See more: Brian Coco Dives Into RANK ETF’s Analyst & Momentum Approach

He also flagged the forthcoming T. Rowe Price Active Crypto ETF (TKNZ). The fund will offer active exposure to up to 12 cryptocurrencies.

Brian Walsh of SoFi also joined this week’s episode. Walsh highlighted the SoFi Social 50 Income ETF (SFYI), built on the top 50 stocks held by SoFi’s 15 million members. The fund generates monthly income by selling call options against those holdings.

Walsh noted that members take a core-satellite approach to portfolio construction. Tesla is the platform’s highest-conviction holding at five times its S&P 500 weight. About 25% of SFYI is tied to AI infrastructure.

Listen to the Full Episode

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VettaFi LLC (“VettaFi”) is the index provider for RANK and VFLO, for which it receives an index licensing fee. However, RANK and VFLO are not issued, sponsored, endorsed, or sold by VettaFi, and VettaFi has no obligation or liability in connection with the issuance, administration, marketing, or trading of RANK or VFLO.

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