Moscow Exchange (MOEX) will launch futures trading for a Korea-focused ETF on July 9, according to Russian news agency Interfax on July 5. Single-stock futures for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix will follow on July 16. The move addresses Russian investor demand for semiconductor exposure amid Western financial sanctions that isolate the country from international markets. Maria Patrikeeva, MOEX derivatives director, stated at a recent St. Petersburg conference that Samsung and SK Hynix are core technology companies at the center of global semiconductor, memory, and AI trends, enabling Russian investors to diversify strategies through ETF-based portfolios or concentrated tech stock positions.
MOEX Launches Korea ETF and Semiconductor Stock Futures
MOEX will begin futures trading for the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) on July 9, Interfax reported. The exchange will launch Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix single-stock futures one week later on July 16. Patrikeeva described Samsung and SK Hynix as key technology firms positioned at the center of global semiconductor, memory, and AI mega-trends during the Smart Lab conference in St. Petersburg.
Ruble-Denominated Cash-Settled Futures Structure
The futures contracts are ruble-denominated and cash-settled within Russia, not direct investments in US-listed EWY or Korean-listed Samsung and SK Hynix stocks. The products replicate the price structure of global ETFs and derivatives to fill gaps created by sanctions. Physical trading in Korean stocks remains unavailable to Russian investors.
MOEX Reports May 2025 Trading Volume Growth
MOEX recorded 161.5 trillion rubles in trading volume for May 2025, according to exchange data. Cumulative trading volume from January to May 2025 reached 862.6 trillion rubles, up 33.3% year-over-year. The exchange maintains liquidity despite isolation from Western capital markets.
Hong Kong Exchange Previously Launched Samsung and SK Hynix Leveraged ETFs
Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) previously launched 2x leveraged ETFs for Samsung and SK Hynix, which led to domestic single-stock leveraged product listings in South Korea. An asset management official stated that global capital demand for Korean memory semiconductors with monopolistic technology remains strong amid geopolitical conflicts.
FAQ
What futures products will MOEX launch on July 9 and July 16?
MOEX will launch iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) futures on July 9 and Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix single-stock futures on July 16, according to Interfax reporting on July 5.
How do MOEX Korea futures differ from direct stock investments?
MOEX Korea futures are ruble-denominated cash-settled contracts traded within Russia, replicating the price structure of global products. They are not direct investments in US-listed EWY or Korean-listed Samsung and SK Hynix stocks, as physical trading remains unavailable to Russian investors under Western sanctions.
What was MOEX trading volume in May 2025?
MOEX recorded 161.5 trillion rubles in trading volume for May 2025. Cumulative trading volume from January to May 2025 reached 862.6 trillion rubles, up 33.3% year-over-year.
