In 2025, active exchange-traded funds across Europe saw near doubling in trading volume, driven by rising investor interest, new product launches, and increased market activity, signalling a potential shift in the region’s ETF landscape.
Across Europe, investors and asset managers accelerated their embrace of active exchange-traded funds last year, driving a sharp rise in trading and fresh inflows that have reshaped part of the ETF landscape while leaving passive strategies dominant.
Data compiled by xyt showed trading in European active ETFs nearly doubled in 2025, up 95% on 2024, with average daily value traded topping more than €450 million and net inflows lifting active ETF assets by 38%, or roughly €23 billion. “Active ETFs were strong performers last year, driven by investor demand and new product launches. Continued inflows in ETFs more broadly reinforces the importance of funds in supporting liquidity and pricing in the underlying market,” said Robin Mess, CEO at xyt.
According to Markets Media, those xyt findings reflect a broader pattern of investor interest in thematic and actively managed strategies and a rising roster of issuers. xyt notes there are now three times as many active ETF issuers as in 2020 and eight times as many active ETF products, a proliferation that industry observers say has helped expand choices for investors seeking alpha, tactical flexibility and niche exposures that passive funds do not provide.
But passive ETFs still account for the lion’s share of the market. xyt and Markets Media point out that active ETFs hold about €85 billion in assets under management versus roughly €2.8 trillion for passive ETFs, and passive strategies continued to attract the largest absolute flows in 2025, around €217 billion over the year.
Independent data points and market commentary give added colour. Morningstar reported that, as of 31 July 2025, active ETFs represented about 3.4% of total ETF assets in Europe while accounting for a majority of new launches, and that the number of asset managers offering active ETFs had risen to 93. A Morningstar survey cited by the firm found more than 20% of European investors planned to significantly increase exposure to active ETFs, with a further 60% intending moderate increases, signals of continued demand.
Exchange-level figures show product momentum feeding venue listings. Deutsche Börse said Xetra listed 78 new actively managed ETFs in 2024, bringing the exchange’s active ETF tally to 197 and pushing assets invested in active products on Xetra to about €44.2 billion. TheTradeNews highlighted that active fixed-income ETFs have been a notable growth engine: by August 2025 active bond ETFs represented about 24% of active ETF assets, roughly €14.8 billion, underscoring investor appetite for actively managed exposure in the bond market.
Market volatility has also concentrated trading in ETFs more broadly. ETF.com noted episodes in which European ETF trading surged amid geopolitical and trade-policy events, demonstrating the sector’s role in providing liquidity and rapid market access during stress periods, a backdrop that likely amplified activity in active strategies as investors sought tactical repositioning.
Industry participants caution that while the expansion of active ETFs widens investor choice and supports product innovation, fee and performance dynamics will determine long-term adoption. Asset managers are attracted to higher fee opportunities in active strategies, yet passive funds continue to deliver the bulk of inflows and AUM. As Morningstar and xyt data suggest, active ETFs are growing from a small base and may follow a path similar to the US market’s earlier development, but they remain a fraction of the overall European ETF ecosystem.
The combination of rising investor demand for thematic and active approaches, a surge in new issuers and products, and episodes of elevated market activity has made 2025 a landmark year for Europe’s active ETF market. Whether that momentum translates into a sustained rebalancing between active and passive will depend on manager performance, fee competitiveness and ongoing investor appetite for the alpha and flexibility active funds promise.
- https://etfexpress.com/2026/01/20/european-active-etf-trading-doubles-in-2025-xyt/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.marketsmedia.com/european-active-etf-trading-doubled-in-2025/ – In 2025, European active ETFs experienced significant growth, with trading activity nearly doubling (95%) compared to 2024, reaching over €450 million in daily activity. Assets under management (AUM) for active ETFs increased by 38%, adding €23 billion. This surge is attributed to rising investor demand for thematic products and a growing number of asset managers entering the market. Despite this growth, passive funds remain dominant, holding approximately €2.8 trillion in AUM, while active funds account for about €85 billion. The expansion of active ETFs offers investors alpha-seeking strategies, thematic exposures, and tactical flexibility.
- https://www.morningstar.com/en-uk/business/insights/blog/markets/european-active-etfs-market-growth – The European active ETF market is gaining momentum, with assets and launches reaching levels seen in the US five years ago. As of July 31, 2025, European active ETFs accounted for 3.4% of total ETF assets and 56% of launches. A recent survey indicates that over 20% of European investors plan to significantly increase their exposure to active ETFs, while 60% intend to make moderate increases. The number of asset managers offering active ETFs in Europe has surged to 93, suggesting strong growth potential in the region.
- https://www.etf.com/sections/news/european-etfs-see-trading-surge-trade-war-kicks – Following the U.S. ‘liberation day’ decision to impose tariffs, European ETFs experienced a surge in trading activity. In just four sessions, trades worth $161.6 billion were registered, with daily trading volumes averaging $5.7 billion in March. BlackRock also reported record activity levels for its iShares operations in Europe. This surge highlights the growing importance and resilience of European ETFs amid global market volatility.
- https://www.morningstar.com/en-uk/business/insights/blog/markets/european-active-etfs-market-growth – The European active ETF market is gaining momentum, with assets and launches reaching levels seen in the US five years ago. As of July 31, 2025, European active ETFs accounted for 3.4% of total ETF assets and 56% of launches. A recent survey indicates that over 20% of European investors plan to significantly increase their exposure to active ETFs, while 60% intend to make moderate increases. The number of asset managers offering active ETFs in Europe has surged to 93, suggesting strong growth potential in the region.
- https://www.boerse-frankfurt.de/news/etfs-etps-2024-continue-to-grow – In 2024, Deutsche Börse recorded 281 new ETF listings, marking the highest activity since the segment’s launch in 2000. By the end of the year, the product offering on Xetra stood at 2,328 ETFs and 446 ETPs, solidifying its position as Europe’s largest exchange for ETFs and ETPs. Actively managed ETFs were significant growth drivers, with 78 new products added, bringing the total to 197 active ETFs on Xetra. Assets invested in active ETFs amounted to €44.2 billion, nearly doubling from the previous year.
- https://www.thetradenews.com/active-etf-market-in-europe-is-growing-thanks-to-fixed-income-surge/ – The European active ETF market has seen substantial growth, with assets doubling over the past two years. By the end of August 2025, assets in active ETFs reached €62.4 billion, marking a 12% increase from €55.5 billion at the end of 2024. Fixed income ETFs have been a significant contributor to this growth, with bond active ETF assets representing 24% (€14.8 billion) of the total active assets. This trend underscores the expanding appeal of active ETFs in Europe, particularly in the fixed income sector.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on January 20, 2026, reporting on data from 2025. Similar reports from Markets Media and Funds Europe were published on the same date, indicating a coordinated release of this information. ([marketsmedia.com](https://www.marketsmedia.com/european-active-etf-trading-doubled-in-2025/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes a direct quote from Robin Mess, CEO at xyt: “Active ETFs were strong performers last year, driven by investor demand and new product launches.” This quote appears in the Markets Media article published on the same date. ([marketsmedia.com](https://www.marketsmedia.com/european-active-etf-trading-doubled-in-2025/?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The primary source, xyt, is a data analytics firm. While they provide valuable data, their reports may be promotional. The article is published on ETF Express, a niche publication focusing on ETFs, which may have limited reach and could be influenced by industry interests.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The reported growth in active ETFs aligns with broader industry trends. However, the lack of independent verification from multiple reputable sources raises some concerns about the accuracy of the data.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article reports on xyt’s data regarding the doubling of European active ETF trading in 2025. However, the reliance on a single source with limited independent verification raises concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the information. The coordinated release of similar reports by other publications on the same date suggests a lack of originality. The inclusion of a direct quote from xyt’s CEO, which appears in other reports, further indicates potential recycling of content. Given these factors, the article does not meet the necessary standards for publication.