Of all the ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in my portfolio, of which there are a few, there’s only one that I think is looking attractive right now. Sure, my index funds, which include the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) and the Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VSO), are always solid options. But neither of these funds is looking like a screaming bargain at today’s prices. At least in my opinion.

But the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)? That’s a different story.

The VanEck Wide Moat ETF is a rather unique fund on the ASX. It is not your traditional index fund, blindly following an entire market. Instead, it is an actively managed ASX ETF that holds a relatively concentrated portfolio of US stocks.

Not just any US stock finds its way into the MOAT portfolio, though. Each holding is only selected if it appears to display signs of possessing a wide economic moat. A moat is a concept first coined by legendary investor Warren Buffett. It describes an intrinsic competitive advantage that a company can possess and use to keep its customers coming back and its competition at bay. Much as a literal moat protected a castle from marauders in days of yore.

There are many types of moats that a company might have. It could be a powerful and trusted brand, or a cost advantage that allows a company to offer consistently lower prices than its rivals. It could also be offering a product or service that customers find difficult to avoid using.

Only companies that Morningstar determines possess at least one of these moats are eligible for inclusion in the VanEck Wide Moat ETF. To illustrate, some of its current holdings include Airbnb, Microsoft, Nvidia, Nike, Disney, Clorox, Amazon, and PepsiCo.

Whether it’s Airbnb’s brand, Nvidia’s cutting-edge chips, Disney’s intellectual property assets, or Amazon’s cost advantage, you can see why these companies might possess a moat.

But let’s talk about this ETF itself.

Why this ASX ETF is looking hot right now

Over long periods of time, MOAT units have returned some impressive numbers. As of 30 June, this ASX ETF has delivered an average of 14.4% per annum over the past ten years (that’s growth plus dividend returns). Since inception in 2015, the number is 13.94% per annum.

Yet the past year has been a lacklustre one for this fund. Over the 12 months to 30 June, investors banked just 5.97%. Indeed, over this same period, the MOAT unit price itself has gone backwards by about 3.8%. As of today’s pricing, the gap is even wider at a 6.2% loss.

Yet I think this makes this ASX ETF a compelling investing opportunity. This ETF has the runs on the board to show that its strategy is a successful one over long periods of time. As such, any pullback or departure from the mean might be a great time to pick up some units. I’ve had this ETF in my portfolio for many years, and it has been a lucrative investment. As such, I’m considering adding some more at current levels.

The post I think this Buffett-inspired ASX ETF is in the buy zone right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Amazon, Microsoft, PepsiCo, VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF, and Vanguard Msci Australian Small Companies Index ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Airbnb, Amazon, Microsoft, Nike, Nvidia, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Airbnb, Amazon, Microsoft, Nike, Nvidia, VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It’s been a tough year for the Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) price.

In afternoon trade on Wednesday, the world’s first and biggest crypto by market cap is trading for US$66,185.

While that’s up 1.2% over the past 24 hours and up 3.4 over the past month, the price remains down 47.5% since the token hit an all-time high of US$126,198 on 7 October.

And crypto investors won’t have found any shelter in Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) either.

At US$1,930, the Ethereum price is up 3.2% over the last week, but down 48% since this time last year.

The world’s number two crypto by market cap notched its own record high of US$4,954 on 25 August 2025, leaving the token down 61% from that record.

Which brings us back to US lawmakers.

Could this US legislation support a Bitcoin price rebound?

Yesterday the Bitcoin price jumped 2.5% amid news that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the nation’s crypto regulating Clarity Act was close to potentially passing through Congress.

If passed, the Clarity Act will give the SEC and the CFTC departments oversight into crypto trading, which could fully open the door to trading in cryptos like Bitcoin and Ethereum in US stock markets.

Commenting on potential impact of the Clarity Act, should it pass, Miller Tabak + Co chief market strategist Matt Maley said (quoted by Bloomberg):

Bitcoin has quietly been building a nice ‘base’ by trading within a sideways range since early June. Now, with the Clarity Act getting closer to passage, it is trying to rally past of the top end of that range. So, if the act can push over the goal line, it could be a nice catalyst for a strong breakout move by Bitcoin.

Why has the world’s top crypto crashed this year?

Through much of 2025, the Bitcoin price enjoyed strong buying support from the so-called debasement trade. That trade saw investors buying crypto currencies and gold as a hedge against a falling US dollar.

But that trade went into reverse this year as investors eyed a rapidly changing outlook for previously forecast interest rate cuts from the US Federal Reserve. Indeed, with inflation ticking higher in the world’s top economy, many analysts expect the Fed to hold tight or even raise rates this year.

These changing expectations have seen the US dollar gain against most international currencies. And they’ve sent the Bitcoin and Ethereum prices tumbling.

The post Could US lawmakers drive a rebound in the beaten-down Bitcoin price? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Bitcoin and Ethereum. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX bank shares Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ), and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) all face another competitor in Australia: Revolut.

CBA and the other majors already face a lot of competition from the likes of ING, HSBC, Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ), Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN), Pepper Money Ltd (ASX: PPM), Mystate Ltd (ASX: MYS), and AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP).

Perhaps the biggest impact on the big four banks in recent years has been Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), which has genuinely become a serious competitor. Macquarie is rapidly capturing market share on both the loans and deposits side of things.

Revolut is a technology-focused UK bank that’s already got a valuation that is similar to ANZ Group. According to reporting by the Australian Financial Review, Revolut has recently been granted an Australian banking licence.

Revolut to disrupt the major ASX bank shares?

The AFR reported that Revolut Bank Australia has secured an unrestricted licence from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority – granted five years after the application.

Revolut reportedly already has 1 million Australian users, with that number doubling each of the last 4 years. Its key offering is a money management app that can make payments, move money between countries, and buy shares.

Customer deposits are now being moved to deposit accounts thanks to the banking licence. Revolut customers will have up to $250,000 of their money protected by the government guarantee.

Revolut can also pay interest on customer savings, while giving itself a better source of funding. The UK bank can also offer personal lending and credit cards.

The AFR reported that Revolut Bank Australia CEO Matt Baxby said:

The natural place to take share is from traditional banks. I don’t think there’s any question we’re providing incremental competition and innovation. It’s very difficult for them to play offence. Their natural game is defence because they’ve got large franchises’ revenue streams to protect.

The newspaper also noted that “several major bank executives have privately cited Revolut as being one of the biggest competitors to local lenders.”

So, it seems like major ASX bank shares are well aware of the potential competition from Revolut.

Should shareholders of CBA, ANZ, NAB, and Westpac be worried?

I think it could be unwise to completely dismiss what Revolut can achieve. Yes, some of the other smaller, digital banks that have come along have not been able to challenge them. They were too small, with the majors having insurmountable scale advantages.

However, I think it’s important to look at how Macquarie has changed the sector. Macquarie was a well-funded business and had the scale to invest heavily, accept a lower margin, and build great tools. Revolut is already a big business, making billions of dollars in profit.

I’ve already been cautious investing in ASX bank shares for some time, and this gives me another reason to look at other ASX shares.

The post This UK bank plans to disrupt CBA, ANZ, NAB and Westpac appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 3 reasons CBA shares are a screaming buy right now
• CBA shares have risen 10% in a month, are they still a buy?
• Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Bendigo And Adelaide Bank. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.