ETF News You Missed This Week - Dec. 29, 2025 - Jan. 2, 2025

ETF launches

Innovator debuted four Dual Directional ETFs — the Innovator Dual Directional Strategy ETF – Quarterly Series (DDSQ and DDNQ) and the Innovator Dual Directional Strategy ETF – Annual Series (DDTJ and DDFJ) — designed to deliver upside in rising or modestly declining markets while providing buffers against steep downturns over their respective outcome periods.

Similarly targeting moderated volatility with growth potential, ARK launched the ARK DIET Q1 Buffer ETF (ARKD), offering 50 percent downside participation in losses of the ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) and capped upside above a 5 percent hurdle on a rolling 12-month basis.

Income-oriented investors saw new structured products from TrueShares, with the TrueShares Structured Outcome Income ETF (PAYM) and the TrueShares High Income Structured Outcome ETF (PAYH). Both use autocallable note strategies tied to an S&P 500-linked index to aim for stable, monthly income alongside downside protection and reduced volatility.

Active equity and thematic initiatives also lined up this week. Gabelli introduced the Gabelli Sports & Live Entertainment ETF (GOLS), targeting firms across teams, leagues, venues, broadcast media, and fan-engagement technology.

Pathfinder expanded with the Pathfinder Focused Opportunities ETF (PFOE), a concentrated portfolio melding quality compounders with special situations, and the Pathfinder Disciplined US Equity ETF (PFDE), an AI-powered S&P 500 strategy blending machine learning with disciplined risk controls.

The week also saw the launch of five themed ETFs from Trump Media and Yorkville America — including the Truth Social American Security & Defense ETF (TSSD), Truth Social American Next Frontiers ETF (TSNF), Truth Social American Icons ETF (TSIC), Truth Social American Energy Security ETF (TSES), and Truth Social American Red State REITs ETF (TSRS) — aimed at patriotic, U.S.-focused exposure.

Defiance ETFs added the Defiance Daily Target 2X Long BITF ETF (BTFL) and the Defiance Daily Target 2X Long ONDS ETF (ONDL) to serve active traders seeking 2X daily leveraged returns on individual equities, while the Archer Growth ETF (ARWG) and Corgi Founder-Led ETF (FDRS) rounded out the slate with earnings-revision and founder-leadership themes, respectively.

ETF Filings

iShares submitted plans for the iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Quality Factor ETF, targeting small-cap stocks with high return on equity, low earnings variability, and low leverage in a sector-neutral framework. Seven Post Investment Office filed for the Equity Partners ETF, an actively managed global equity ETF focused on diversification across U.S. and international stocks, REITs, and MLPs.

In fixed income, Segall Bryant & Hamill filed the Segall Bryant & Hamill Intermediate Fixed Income ETF (SBI), emphasizing 3- to 6-year maturities with a blend of investment-grade bonds, equities, and non-U.S. dollar exposure alongside ESG research integration.

Leverage and income overlays featured strongly among new filings from VegaShares, which proposed a suite of 16 leveraged ETFs offering 3X and 4X daily exposure to major indexes and sector benchmarks, and the VegaShares SPX NDX RTY Premium Income ETF (ODTE), an actively managed covered call strategy selling short-dated options on the S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, and Russell 2000 to seek weekly income.

Blockchain and digital assets continued to attract issuer interest, with Bitwise filing for 11 individual Bitwise Cryptocurrency Strategy ETFs combining direct token holdings with affiliated ETPs, and Grayscale moving to convert its Grayscale Bittensor Trust into a NYSE Arca-listed ETF holding TAO tokens.

First Trust’s filings included the FT Vest Laddered U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF and the FT Vest Laddered U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF (BFEW), each leveraging laddered structures to moderate timing risk and incorporate buffer features.

Finally, Global X proposed the Global X Stablecoin & Tokenization Ecosystem ETF, focusing on equities tied to stablecoin issuance, tokenization platforms, and blockchain infrastructure without direct cryptocurrency holdings.

Other Updates

Behind the scenes, several operational updates and fund closures were announced.

SS&C ALPS Advisors filed notices to transfer four existing ETFs — OUSM, OUSA, OGIG, and OEFA — from Cboe BZX to NYSE Arca, with the moves expected around December 30, 2025, under their current ticker symbols.

In a similar vein, Unlimited ETFs announced the planned relocation of its hedge fund replication ETFs — HFMF and HFEQ — from NYSE Arca to the NYSE on January 2, 2026, with tickers, strategies, and management unchanged and no action required by shareholders.

On the closure front, the VistaShares Animal Spirits Daily 2X Strategy ETF (WILD) is winding down due to insufficient assets under management. Trading will halt after January 14, 2026, with liquidation scheduled around January 20, 2026.

Tradr ETF also announced the intent to close the 2X Long ETFs for OKTA (OKTX), NEM (NWMX), and QS (QSX). The funds will cease trading on January 23, 2026, and fully liquidate by January 30.

Please note this article is for information purposes only and does not in any way constitute investment advice. It is essential that you seek advice from a registered financial professional prior to making any investment decision.