VanEck to Launch First-of-its-Kind Degen Economy ETF in 2026
VanEck is transforming its Gaming ETF into the VanEck Degen Economy ETF, marking a pioneering effort to track companies connected to digital trading, gig work, betting, and casinos. This new fund is set to launch in April 2026 and will include companies generating at least 50% of their revenue from sectors related to Millennial Finance, Gig Economy & Online Forums, and Digital Gambling, Betting & Gaming. The sectors covered include digital brokerages, digital asset exchanges, neobanks, consumer credit scoring, BNPL, electronic payments, ride-hailing, online food services, online gambling, iGaming software, digital lottery & casino operators, video-game developers, and sports data & analytics providers.
Morningstar highlighted that this fund is the first ETF to feature "Degen" in its name, reflecting a post-COVID trend toward themes such as mobile-first finance, gig work, online betting, and digital marketplaces. While the fund aims to capture genuine shifts in consumer behavior with high-growth potential, it also carries risks related to volatility, boom-bust cycles, regulatory changes, and churn. Analysts expect near-term upside within the next one to two years.
