Boxes and Lines What the Market Knows Before We Do: Dave Nadig on 2026
Jan 28, 2026
Dave Nadig, ETF.com president and researcher who studies ETFs, market structure, and financial innovation. He discusses 2025's record ETF flows and the surge of active ETFs. Conversation covers tokenization and whether 24/7 trading will catch on. They also debate rising retail speculation, prediction markets, and why ETF plumbing looks sturdier than critics fear.
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Hedging Can Amplify Market Chaos
- Investors seek hedges even while acknowledging overvaluation, often using options and other betting products.
- Nadig warns hedging behavior can increase market chaos as opinions concentrate into leveraged products.
Active ETFs Gained Major Traction
- Active management grew unexpectedly, capturing significant ETF launches and flows.
- Nadig highlights roughly 37% of flows into active products, challenging the 'ETFs are passive' narrative.
Monetize Ideas With Branded Active Funds
- If you want to monetize an idea, consider building a branded active fund rather than a low-fee index.
- Nadig notes celebrity managers can attract flows charging higher fees through social followings.