So a major investment bank just acquired an ETF fund manager. Sounds like a move to benefit retail investors, right? Wrong.

Aaron Brown cuts through the PR noise here. This isn't some noble effort to democratize finance or improve access for everyday folks. It's the same old playbook—keeping those sweet management fees flowing straight into Wall Street's pockets.

Think about it. When big financial players make moves like this, who really wins? The narrative they push is always about "enhancing investor opportunities" or "expanding product offerings." But strip away the corporate speak and you'll see what's actually happening: consolidation of fee-generating assets under one roof.

ETFs were supposed to be the low-cost alternative. Passive. Efficient. Now? They're just another revenue stream for the old guard to tap into. The irony is almost amusing—if it weren't your money being quietly siphoned through basis points and expense ratios.

This acquisition isn't about innovation. It's about control. Control over flows, control over fees, control over the narrative. Same game, different jersey.