Betashares eyes private markets arena

Betashares is preparing to enter the private asset space, with the ETF provider set to unveil plans to roll out a suite of unlisted funds starting with a US private credit offering.

Betashares is looking to expand beyond its core ETF and managed portfolio offerings, aiming to tap into rising demand from Australian investors and advisers for alternative assets that deliver income and diversification amid market volatility.

While the firm is yet to reveal full details, it has appointed James Fleiter – formerly a relationship manager at Ares Management – to lead the development of its private assets offering.

In a statement on 20 June, Peter Harper, head of distribution and capital markets at Betashares, said: “We’re working on responsibly opening access to private assets in the near future, and we’re excited to welcome James Fleiter to our growing team to help drive forward our offering in this asset class. 

“James is a welcome addition to our growing team. In particular, he will play an important role in ensuring that we’re continuing to lift the bar in meeting the needs of investors and financial advisers when it comes to the role that private assets can play in a robust portfolio.”

According to Harper, Fleiter will join the firm’s line-up of investment strategists available to clients to help them understand the additive role that private assets can play in an investment portfolio.

It is understood that as well as continuing its laser focus on maintaining and growing its range of ETFs, Betashares is looking to increase the range of robust investment exposures available to its clients – in a move that reflects the rising prominence of private markets among wealth managers and institutions.

To support its private asset ambitions, Betashares is understood to be developing a range of unlisted investment solutions in partnership with experienced managers, with a focus on US private credit expected to feature early in the rollout.

Private credit is gaining strong momentum in Australia, prompting fund managers locally to develop products that expand investor access to this asset class.

The push into alternatives comes as Betashares continues to enjoy strong inflows into its ETF business, solidifying its place as one of the dominant players in the Australian ETF market.

As of June 2025, Betashares manages more than $50 billion in funds under management and offers more than 100 products across equities, fixed income, commodities, currencies, and thematic exposures.

With alternatives still a small but growing slice of portfolios across wealth channels, the firm’s move into private credit – and potentially other private market segments – may mark a strategic pivot for Betashares as it seeks to broaden its investment footprint and cement relationships with advisers looking beyond public markets.

InvestorDaily, Money management’s sister title, revealed last week that the Australian ETF provider is poised to unveil two funds aimed at capturing market share from the iShares and VanEck ranges, which dominate key segments of the local ETF market.

Outside of Betashares, Australian ETF providers appear to be undergoing a transformation, with InvestorDaily reporting this week that Global X plans to shift its focus towards more “vanilla”, cost-effective strategies.