The idea of buying something and holding it forever might sound unrealistic. Markets move, sectors fall in and out of favour, and new technologies constantly reshape industries.
But some investments are designed to adapt to those changes. Exchange traded funds (ETFs) that focus on powerful global trends or constantly evolving groups of companies can be particularly well suited to long-term investors.
With that in mind, here are three ASX ETFs that could be strong candidates for a buy and hold forever strategy.
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Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)
One ETF that has built a reputation for long-term wealth creation is the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF.
This fund tracks the Nasdaq 100 index, which contains many of the world's most innovative companies. These businesses are often responsible for the products and platforms that shape how we live, work, and communicate.
Within the portfolio are companies such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA). These businesses are not just large technology companies. They are key infrastructure providers for the digital economy, from smartphones and operating systems to artificial intelligence computing power.
The index also evolves over time. As new leaders emerge and older businesses fade, the index adjusts. That means investors remain exposed to the companies driving the next wave of innovation.
Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)
Another ASX ETF that could be worth holding for the long term is the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF.
Rather than targeting a particular sector or theme, this fund focuses on companies with strong financial characteristics. It screens for businesses that consistently generate high returns on equity, stable earnings, and solid balance sheets.
These types of companies often dominate their industries and maintain advantages that competitors struggle to replicate.
Examples from the portfolio include companies such as Mastercard (NYSE: MA), which benefits from the global shift toward digital payments, Intuit (NASDAQ: INTU), a leader in financial software, and Linde (NASDAQ: LIN), a global industrial gases giant that plays an important role in manufacturing and healthcare.
By concentrating on businesses with strong competitive positions, the fund aims to capture long-term compounding rather than short-term market trends. It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.
Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)
The Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF provides exposure to a different but equally powerful growth story.
This fund focuses on leading technology companies across Asia, particularly in China, South Korea, and Taiwan. These businesses are deeply embedded in the digital infrastructure of some of the world's fastest-growing economies.
Holdings include companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM), the world's most advanced chip manufacturer, Tencent (SEHK: 700), which operates one of the largest digital ecosystems in China, and Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU), a major player in search, artificial intelligence, and autonomous driving technologies.
As internet usage, digital payments, cloud computing, and AI adoption continue expanding across Asia, these companies could remain central to the region's technological development for many years.
