Most investors spend far too much time worrying about when to buy and not nearly enough time thinking about what they want to own for the long haul.
Yet history shows that wealth is usually built by backing the right assets and then giving them time to work, not by constantly tweaking a portfolio.
If your goal is to invest once, stay invested, and let global growth do the heavy lifting over the next decade, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are hard to beat. They offer portfolio diversification, exposure to powerful structural trends, and far less stress than trying to pick individual winners.
With that in mind, here are three ASX ETFs that could be top buys in 2026 and worth holding through to at least 2036.
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Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)
The Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF gives investors access to some of the most influential technology companies across Asia, excluding Japan. These are businesses powering everything from ecommerce and digital payments to semiconductors and social media across fast-growing economies.
Key holdings include companies such as WeChat owner Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 700), chip giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM), Temu owner PDD Holdings (NASDAQ: PDD), and ecommerce leader Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA).
While Asian tech stocks can be volatile in the short term, the long-term opportunity is compelling and underpinned by rising middle classes, accelerating digital adoption, and ongoing innovation.
This fund was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.
BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)
The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF is one of the simplest ways to invest in many of the world's highest-quality growth companies. It tracks the Nasdaq 100 Index, which is home to global leaders in technology, consumer services, and healthcare.
While the Magnificent Seven often dominate headlines, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF also provides exposure to businesses beyond that group. This includes stocks like Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE), Intuit (NASDAQ: INTU), Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), and Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST).
Over a 10-year horizon, continued investment in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital services could help the Magnificent Seven and these businesses compound earnings well into the 2030s.
Betashares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND)
The Betashares India Quality ETF offers a different kind of long-term opportunity. Rather than focusing purely on technology, it targets high-quality Indian stocks with strong balance sheets, sustainable earnings, and competitive advantages.
India is forecast to be one of the fastest-growing major economies over the next decade, driven by favourable demographics, infrastructure investment, and a rapidly expanding middle class.
The Betashares India Quality ETF provides exposure to this growth through a diversified portfolio of businesses across financials, consumer sectors, and industrials.
For investors looking to diversify beyond developed markets, this fund adds an attractive growth engine to a long-term portfolio. It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.
