Who started ETFs?
ETFs emerged from index-investing innovation; SPY (1993) is commonly cited as the first major U.S. ETF, with earlier Canadian predecessors.
February 17, 2026
There isn't a single person who "started" ETFs, but the modern ETF ecosystem formed through a combination of product innovation and regulation. In the U.S., SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) launched in 1993 is commonly referenced as the first major ETF.
Canada had earlier exchange-traded index products in the late 1980s/early 1990s, which influenced the development of ETFs more broadly.
If you're telling the story, it's best framed as an evolution: index funds made passive investing mainstream, then ETFs added intraday tradability and the creation/redemption mechanism.
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