Mirae Asset Global Investments Surpasses KRW400 Trillion in AUM: A Blueprint for Global ETF Dominance

Mirae Asset Global Investments has cemented its position as a global asset management titan, reaching a historic milestone of 400 trillion won ($288 billion) in assets under management (AUM) by mid-2025. This achievement, driven by a relentless focus on strategic acquisitions, exponential ETF growth, and AI-driven innovation, positions the firm as a premier play for investors seeking exposure to the booming passive investing and retirement savings markets.

The Power of M&A: Building a Global ETF Empire

Mirae Asset’s ascent began with its 2018 acquisition of Global X, a U.S.-based ETF provider, for $488 million. This deal gave Mirae Asset a foothold in the world’s largest ETF market, which accounts for over 70% of global ETF assets. Since then, Global X’s AUM has surged tenfold, from $10.1 billion to $59.7 billion by 2024, fueled by its dominance in thematic ETFs such as the Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD)—now a $6 billion flagship product.

But Global X was just the starting point. Mirae Asset’s M&A playbook has since expanded its footprint across 19 markets, including Australia (via the acquisition of ETF Securities), Brazil, and India (through Sharekhan). By rebranding subsidiaries like Global X Australia and Global X Brazil, the firm unified its global operations under a single, recognizable brand. This strategy has enabled it to capture 45% of its AUM ($137 billion) outside Korea, diversifying its revenue streams and shielding it from domestic market volatility.

ETFs: The Engine of Exponential Growth

Mirae Asset’s ETF business is its crown jewel, growing at a 34.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since 2015—nearly double the global ETF industry’s 17.8% average. This outperformance is rooted in its focus on thematic investing, which taps into megatrends like cloud computing, AI, and renewable energy. The Global X Cloud ETF, for example, has become a go-to vehicle for investors betting on the digital transformation of industries.

The firm’s U.S.-based ETF arm, Global X, now offers over 200 ETFs, with a particular emphasis on covered call strategies and sector-specific exposures. Its TIGER-branded ETFs in Korea, such as the TIGER US S&P500, have also attracted retail investors seeking low-cost access to global markets. By 2025, these products accounted for 34% of Mirae Asset’s total AUM, underscoring their role as a growth engine.

AI-Driven Innovation: The Future of Retirement Savings

Mirae Asset is not just a passive ETF player; it is a pioneer in AI-powered financial solutions. Its M-ROBO platform, launched in 2024, uses 14 proprietary algorithms to tailor retirement portfolios for Korean savers—a critical market given the country’s 400 trillion won retirement pension sector. Meanwhile, its acquisition of Stockspot, an Australian robo-advisor, has enabled it to offer low-cost, tech-driven wealth management in high-growth regions like Asia-Pacific.

This focus on AI is paying off. In 2024, Mirae Asset’s AI-driven services attracted $20 billion in net inflows, with M-ROBO alone managing over $15 billion in retirement assets. As global pension funds and individual investors increasingly prioritize cost efficiency and customization, Mirae Asset’s tech edge will only widen.

Why Investors Should Act Now

Mirae Asset’s diversified growth drivers—ETFs, M&A, and AI—align perfectly with two unstoppable trends:
1. Passive Investing: ETFs now command over $10 trillion in global assets, and Mirae Asset’s thematic expertise ensures it captures a disproportionate share of this growth.
2. Demographic Shifts: Aging populations in developed markets and rising middle classes in emerging economies are fueling demand for low-cost, scalable retirement solutions, a space Mirae Asset is already dominating.

With 45% of its AUM overseas and $288 billion in total assets, Mirae Asset is uniquely positioned to capitalize on both trends. Its stock, which has outperformed the MSCI World Financials Index by 20% since 2020, offers a compelling entry point for investors seeking exposure to a global asset manager poised for sustained growth.

The Bottom Line

Mirae Asset’s $288 billion milestone is not an end—it’s a starting line. With a proven track record of turning acquisitions into market share, a product lineup that caters to tomorrow’s investors, and a leadership team unafraid to bet on technology, this firm is primed to lead the next chapter of global wealth management. For investors, the question isn’t whether to join—it’s whether they can afford to wait.