What are the fee structure and liquidity expectations for the new Agentic AI ETF compared to existing AI-focused ETFs?

Fee structure: SoFi’s Agentic AI ETF (AGIQ) is being positioned as a low‑cost vehicle that aligns with the firm’s “transparent‑pricing” ethos. While the press release does not spell out the exact expense ratio, SoFi’s other retail‑focused funds typically sit in the 0.20‑0.30 % range. By contrast, the established AI‑themed ETFs that dominate today’s market—such as Global X Robotics & AI (BOTZ, 0.68 %), iShares AI (IRBO, 0.47 %), and ARK Autonomous Tech & Robotics (ARKQ, 0.75 %)—carry higher fees. If AGIQ’s expense ratio lands at the low‑end of the SoFi band, it would be materially cheaper on an annual basis, giving long‑term investors a cost advantage that can translate into a measurable alpha boost, especially in a sector where turnover can be high.

Liquidity expectations: New thematic ETFs usually launch with modest assets‑under‑management and trading volume, and AGIQ is likely no exception. SoFi will leverage its own brokerage platform and a network of market makers to provide initial depth, but the daily dollar volume is expected to lag behind the more mature AI funds that routinely trade $30‑$50 million a day. Consequently, early‑stage bid‑ask spreads may be wider (5‑10 bps on average) and execution could be less predictable for larger orders. Traders should therefore approach AGIQ with limit orders and consider scaling in gradually, or use higher‑liquidity peers (e.g., BOTZ, IRBO) for position sizing while monitoring AGIQ’s volume buildup. If the “agentic AI” narrative gains traction—and the index captures fast‑growing names like Salesforce, Tesla, and NVIDIA—liquidity should improve rapidly, narrowing spreads and making AGIQ a viable low‑cost alternative to the current AI‑ETF universe.