ETF News You Missed This Week - Jan. 12 - Jan. 16, 2026

ETF Launches

Equity ETF activity this week revolved around active stock selection, targeted themes, and an expanding roster of leveraged products. Harbor Capital launched the Harbor Active Small Cap Growth ETF (SGRW), an actively managed strategy sub-advised by Granahan Investment Management that targets underfollowed U.S. small-cap growth companies with strong fundamentals. Roundhill followed with the Roundhill Robotaxi, Autonomous Vehicles & Technology ETF (CABZ), offering active exposure to global leaders across robotaxis, autonomous driving platforms, and enabling technologies.

Pacer ETFs broadened its Quality FCF lineup with the Pacer S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders ETF (QFRD), focused on innovation-heavy companies, and the Pacer S&P 500 Quality FCF High Dividend ETF (QFHD), targeting high dividend payers backed by strong free cash flow. Leverage remained a dominant theme as Corgi Funds launched the Founder-Led 2x Daily ETF (FDRX). Tradr added four new 2x single-stock ETFs tied to CRML, ONDS, PATH, and USAR, while Leverage Shares rolled out XPEG (Xpeng) and ORLG (O’Reilly Automotive), alongside six additional 2x ETFs including USGG, ONDG, PLUL, ALBG, HUTG, and UUUG. Defiance introduced LUNL and RKTL, and REX Shares with Tuttle Capital launched the T-REX 2X Long EOSE Daily Target ETF (EOSU).

BNY Mellon converted five mutual funds into actively managed ETFs, including the BNY Mellon Municipal Short Duration ETF (BKMS), Municipal Intermediate ETF (BKMI), Municipal Opportunities ETF (BMOP), Core Plus ETF (BCPL), and the Active Core Bond ETF (BKFI).

Nomura Asset Management also entered the space with the Nomura Tax-Free USA ETF (LTAX), focused on federally tax-exempt U.S. municipal bond income.

In crypto, Bitwise launched the Bitwise Chainlink ETF (CLNK) on NYSE Arca, providing spot exposure to Chainlink.

First Trust introduced the FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy Floor15 ETF (BFJA), offering capped bitcoin-linked upside with a defined downside floor through options and Treasuries rather than direct bitcoin holdings.

PIMCO rounded out the launches with the PIMCO U.S. Stocks PLUS Active Bond ETF (SPLS), combining passive U.S. large-cap equity exposure with actively managed fixed income strategies in a single ETF structure designed to outperform across market cycles.

Fund Closures

Harbor Capital confirmed it will liquidate the AlphaEdge Next Generation REITs ETF. Trading will halt on February 20, 2026, ahead of a full liquidation around February 26. The fund will move into cash prior to closure, and final distributions may trigger capital gains for shareholders. Investors can exit on NYSE Arca until February 19.

Defiance ETFs announced a broad shutdown across several strategies. The Trillion Dollar Club ETF (TRIL), which tracked mega-cap companies, will close by January 30, 2026, with trading ending January 26. On the same timeline, the firm will also liquidate the Daily Target 2X Short LLY ETF (LLYZ), which offered leveraged inverse exposure to Eli Lilly.

The firm's closures extend to crypto-linked products as well. The Leveraged Long + Income Ethereum ETF (ETHI) will stop trading on January 26 and fully liquidate by January 30, 2026, after shifting to cash holdings.

Rounding out the announcement, five leveraged single-stock income ETFs from Defiance will also be shuttered. The affected tickers are AMDU, HIMY, HOOI, PLT, and SMCC, all of which will cease trading on January 26, with final cash distributions made on or around the liquidation date.

ETF Filings

Hedged, Buffered, and Outcome-Oriented Equity

Options-based risk management featured prominently. John Hancock filed for the John Hancock Hedged Equity ETF (JHDG), pairing U.S. large-cap stocks with dynamic put spreads and covered calls to manage downside while retaining upside. Aptus proposed the Aptus Laddered Buffer ETF (ABUF), offering SPY-linked large-cap exposure through a ladder of buffered ETFs with defined downside protection and capped returns.

Thematic and Innovation-Focused Equity

Global X filed for a Space Tech ETF tracking the commercial space economy, while Roundhill proposed the Memory ETF (DRAM) focused on semiconductor memory companies. WisdomTree added three megatrend filings covering Physical AI, Global Energy, and Global Tech, each tracking proprietary thematic indexes. Sprott took a more targeted angle with the Rare Earths Ex-China ETF (REXC), explicitly excluding China exposure.

Founder, YC, and Value-Driven Stock Selection

Corgi Funds filed for both the YC Alumni ETF (XYC) and a YC Alumni 2x Daily ETF, targeting public companies founded by Y Combinator alumni. On the value side, Pzena filed for U.S. and international large-cap value ETFs, while CresAlta proposed actively managed SMID-cap and global dividend strategies built around deep fundamental research.

Leveraged and Tactical Trading Products

Leverage remained a dominant filing theme. REX Shares proposed 18 new T-REX 2X Long Daily Target ETFs tied to individual stocks. Defiance followed with filings for 11 additional 2x leveraged single-stock ETFs. In crypto-linked leverage, ProShares and Volatility Shares each filed for standard and leveraged futures-based ETFs tied to ADA, LINK, and XLM, while Teucrium proposed a 2x leveraged XDC ETF using a Cayman subsidiary.

Fixed Income, Structured Credit, and Alternatives

Structured credit saw heavy activity from Guggenheim, which filed a broad suite of actively managed ETFs spanning investment-grade CLOs (GCLO), enhanced equity income (GEEQ), short-duration and ultra-short bond strategies (GISD, GSCH), securitized credit (GISC), and a core plus bond ETF (GICP). DoubleLine also filed for an ultra-short structured credit income ETF focused on low duration and capital preservation.

Macro, Commodities, and Structured Notes

Alternative strategies rounded out the filings. Mast Investments proposed multiple HedgeIndex-powered ETFs covering commodities, adaptive macro equities, managed futures with limited crypto exposure, and corporate arbitrage. VegaShares filed for the US Equity Autocallable Income ETF (VAIE), offering exposure to a laddered autocallable note index via swaps.

Industry Developments

Beyond fund filings, RBC Global Asset Management sought SEC approval to introduce ETF share classes in the U.S., signaling a major strategic expansion. At the ecosystem level, Nasdaq announced the acquisition of Volos Portfolio Solutions, strengthening its capabilities in options-based and defined-outcome ETP design.

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.