Core Insights - The US exchange-traded fund (ETF) market has experienced significant growth, surpassing $12.7 trillion, but not all funds have benefited, with notable asset losses in some ETFs [2][4] ETF Market Overview - The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) have lost $31 billion and $9 billion in assets under management (AUM) year to date, respectively [2] - The decline in AUM is attributed to tariff concerns and the availability of cheaper alternatives [2][3] Investor Behavior - Investors are making tactical trades into other market segments, influenced by dollar weakness and political climate concerns [3] - Institutional investors are increasingly shifting towards lower-cost alternatives like State Street's SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPLG) and Vanguard's S&P 500 ETF (VOO), which have significantly lower expense ratios compared to SPY and IWM [4] Sector Performance - The energy sector, represented by State Street's Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE), has seen massive outflows totaling $8.2 billion year to date, reflecting decreasing energy prices and a shift towards growth sectors [5] - Other ETFs with significant outflows include the iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (EFG) with $7.9 billion and the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) with $6.5 billion [6] Future Outlook - Despite current outflows, SPY is expected to remain a popular choice among institutional investors, particularly in the fourth quarter, due to its liquidity and status as a premium product [4]

Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan says the four-year crypto cycle is dead, citing weaker halving impact and stronger long-term forces like ETF growth, institutional adoption, and post-GENIUS Act investment. He expects 2026 and the coming years to deliver strong performance—driven more by a “sustained and steady boom” than a one-off super cycle. https://t.co/LwRF5Rd3WP ...