ETF Leaders Take Center Stage in Nashville
Key Takeaways
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ICI’s 2026 ETF Conference drew more than 1,000 attendees to Nashville to hear panels on topics such as ETF investments in digital assets, ETF share classes, ETF tax considerations, and tokenization.
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ETF adoption has skyrocketed since the 2019 ETF Rule went into effect, leading to the growth of active ETFs, progress on ETF share classes, and expansion opportunities into additional asset classes.
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Preserving the tax treatment of ETFs keeps ETFs accessible and affordable by ensuring shareholders do not pay taxes when another investor leaves a fund.
ICI President & CEO Eric J. Pan addresses ETF Conference attendees during his keynote remarks.
More than 1,000 attendees gathered for ICI’s 2026 ETF Conference, where industry leaders, regulators, and market participants discussed ETF growth, innovation, and the future of these increasingly popular products.
Day 1 featured a series of in-depth, pre-conference thought leadership sessions on curated topics ranging from tokenization to ETF investments in digital assets. Days 2 and 3 included keynote remarks from ETF pioneer Jan van Eck, as well as panels on distribution, regulation, and the future of the ETF ecosystem.
Beyond the main-stage programming, this year’s conference was designed to give attendees more ways to connect with one another and build relationships across the ETF ecosystem. The new appointments feature in the conference app made it easier for attendees to schedule small group and one-on-one meetings, helping sponsors, exchanges, liquidity providers, service providers, and other market participants continue important conversations outside the formal sessions.
That spirit of connection also extended beyond the conference floor. Tunes & Togetherness for a Cause returned for a second year, bringing attendees together to pack school supply bags for local children.
ETF Conference attendees at the Tunes & Togetherness for a Cause community service activity.
Core Conference Themes: ETF Tax Treatment and Innovation
ICI President and CEO Eric J. Pan opened the conference by underscoring ICI’s commitment to the ETF community, telling attendees that ETF sponsors, service providers, exchanges, market makers, and other firms supporting the marketplace have a home at ICI. As ETFs continue to become a central part of investing, Pan said ICI will remain a strong partner and advocate for the firms driving ETF growth and innovation.
Pan highlighted the rapid evolution of ETFs, including the growth of active ETFs, recent progress on ETF share classes, and the opportunity for ETFs to expand into additional asset classes. He credited ETF innovators with improving affordability, accessibility, choice, and diversification for investors.
Pan also emphasized ICI’s commitment to protecting ETF tax treatment. He made clear that Section 852(b)(6) is not a loophole, but a long-standing provision that supports fairness, efficiency, and long-term investing. Preserving this treatment, he said, helps ensure that long-term ETF shareholders are not forced to pay taxes triggered by another investor’s decision to leave a fund, while keeping ETFs efficient, accessible, and affordable for millions of Americans.
ETF sponsors and the many firms supporting this marketplace have a home here. We want you engaged here. We want you leading here. And when important policy debates emerge in Washington or around the world, we want you to know that ICI will be your partner and your advocate.
Top SEC Voices Offer the Regulatory Perspective on ETF Growth
ICI's General Counsel, Paul Cellupica, in conversation with the SEC’s Director of the Division of Investment Management, Brian Daly.
The conference also featured perspectives from SEC regulators Brian Daly, the Director of the Division of Investment Management, and Trace Rakestraw, Senior Special Counsel. Both emphasized how the SEC is prioritizing modernization and innovation coupled with responsible retailization. During a fireside chat with ICI General Counsel Paul Cellupica, Daly said “the ETF has been probably the most spectacular success in retail finance ever.” He noted the rapid pace of change since the 2019 ETF Rule was adopted.
Looking Ahead to the 2027 ETF Conference
ICI’s ETF Conference is moving to the Big Easy in June 2027. Stay tuned to the ICI events page for more details on registration, the program, and booking a hotel room. All of ICI’s conferences are open to ICI members and non-members.
Thanks to all who attended and helped make the 2026 ETF Conference a success. We hope to see you in New Orleans next year!