What if you started monthly DCA into a Korea-listed Nasdaq ETF around Pokemon GO?
This uses real data to show what would have happened if you had invested 300,000 won a month into a Korea-listed Nasdaq-100 ETF (TIGER Nasdaq 100, 133690) starting around July 2016, when the AR game Pokemon GO launched and swept the world. It is a case of DCA into a U.S. index in Korean won.
⚠️ Know the risk first
Even DCA has stretches where value falls below what you put in. This period includes the 2020 and 2022 declines, and as a Korea-listed ETF, exchange-rate moves are embedded in the result too. Always review the maximum drawdown and loss periods.
What happened that day
On July 6, 2016, Niantic's AR game Pokemon GO launched in the U.S. and elsewhere, sparking a global sensation. Here it is used only as an easy-to-remember DCA start, a case of DCA into the U.S. Nasdaq-100 index in won.
Why this date
A widely remembered public milestone is used as the reference for the 'DCA start date.' It does not mean the Pokemon GO craze caused index moves — it is simply an easy-to-remember date.
Investment conditions
Asset · TIGER Nasdaq 100 (133690) · 300,000 won monthly from July 2016
Method · Recurring monthly investment
Period · 2016-07-06 ~ 2026-07-01
Amount · $222 / month
As of · 2026-07-01
Key metrics
These results do not reflect taxes. Based on historical data.
Risk & recovery
As important as returns. This service does not hide maximum drawdown or loss periods.
Maximum drawdown (MDD)
-25.1%
Largest drop from peak
Longest loss period
0months
Months in loss: 0
Recovery period
4months
Growth over time
Invested principal (dashed) and portfolio value (solid). Values below match the calculation.
Total invested $26,889 → Final value $107,071 (+298.2%), Maximum drawdown (MDD) -25.1%
Why this period and asset
July 6, 2016 is the day Niantic's AR game Pokemon GO launched in the U.S. and elsewhere, sparking a global sensation. Using this easy-to-remember moment as the start, we assume monthly DCA into a Korea-listed Nasdaq-100 ETF. As a Korea-listed ETF it trades in won, but its underlying index is the U.S. Nasdaq-100, and these 10-odd years include the 2018 correction, the 2020 COVID crash, and the 2022 bear market.
Interpreting the result
This case shows a typical way Korean investors 'DCA into a U.S. index in won.' DCA spreads the same amount across each month, reducing the risk of getting fully trapped at a single peak. A Korea-listed ETF's price is affected not only by the underlying index but also by USD/KRW, so the won-denominated result naturally embeds exchange-rate moves. In the metrics below, look at total invested, the final value, and the return (XIRR), but always also check the maximum drawdown and loss periods in between.
Caveats & limits
Pokemon GO is only an 'easy-to-remember date,' not a cause of Nasdaq moves. Even index DCA has loss periods and does not guarantee the future. This ETF is Korea-listed, shown in won with exchange-rate effects already embedded in the price, but trading fees, taxes, and the expense ratio are not reflected (pre-tax). Always review the maximum drawdown and loss periods.
Event fact sources
- Game8 / Bulbapedia, Pokemon GO release date (US 2016-07-06)
- Niantic, Pokemon GO launch coverage (2016-07)
Requested date vs actual trading date
If the date is a holiday, contributions start from the next trading day. The 'effective trading date' below is the start date actually used.
Data sources & limits
- Price data source: Yahoo Finance / FinanceDataReader
- Collected on: 2026-07-28
- Effective trading date: 2026-07-01
- Price basis: Adjusted close (reflects dividends and stock splits)
- Trading fees and taxes are not reflected — figures are pre-tax.
- Based on historical data; does not guarantee future returns.
Frequently asked questions
Why calculate with a Korea-listed ETF?
Instead of a U.S.-listed ETF (like QQQ), we chose a Korea-listed Nasdaq-100 ETF traded in won to show how Korean investors actually 'DCA into a U.S. index in won.' In this case, exchange-rate effects are naturally embedded in the price.
Why use Pokemon GO as the start?
It uses a widely remembered public milestone as the reference for 'when you started DCA.' It does not mean the Pokemon GO craze caused Nasdaq moves — it is just an easy-to-remember date.
Does DCA mean no losses?
No. Even DCA has stretches where value falls below what you put in. The 2020 and 2022 declines fall within this period. Be sure to check the maximum drawdown and loss-period metrics below.
How is FX reflected?
This ETF is Korea-listed and trades in won, with USD/KRW moves already embedded in the price itself. However, trading fees, taxes, and the management expense ratio are not reflected (pre-tax).
Related scenarios
📋 Results are based on historical data; past returns do not guarantee future returns.
📋 This service is provided for educational purposes to help you understand investing, not as investment advice.