According to @EricBalchunas, the best performing ETFs at the start of 2026 are a 2x Dogecoin (DOGE) ETF and a 2x single-stock semiconductor ETF, based on his ETF performance tracking update posted on X on Jan 5, 2026; source: Eric Balchunas, X. Regulators state that 2x leveraged ETFs seek approximately twice the daily return of the underlying asset and reset exposure each day, which can create path dependency and compounding effects over holding periods longer than one day; source: U.S. SEC Investor.gov, Leveraged and Inverse ETFs. FINRA cautions that leveraged ETFs can exhibit amplified volatility and tracking error, making liquidity and bid-ask spreads key execution factors for active traders; source: FINRA Investor Alert on Leveraged and Inverse ETFs. For single-stock leveraged ETFs, the SEC has warned that these products entail concentrated, idiosyncratic risk relative to diversified funds, magnifying both gains and losses; source: U.S. SEC Staff Statement on Single-Stock ETFs. This ranking places DOGE-linked leveraged exposure among the strongest YTD ETF performers per the cited update, a relevant datapoint for crypto market participants monitoring momentum; source: Eric Balchunas, X.