Dave Mazza is the CEO of Roundhill Investments. Follow him on X and LinkedIn for ETF updates and financial insights.
How Did You Get Started In The Financial Industry?
An answer I used to give in early interviews was that it happened by accident. I majored in political science and philosophy in college, two disciplines that teach you how to think critically, argue clearly, and ask big questions. But as graduation approached, I realized there weren’t any philosophy companies recruiting on campus. So, like many liberal arts majors, I had to pivot.
That said, the transition wasn’t completely random. I became passionate about markets in college, particularly through the lens of behavioral finance. I was fascinated by the idea that markets are not efficient and that human psychology—fear, greed, overconfidence—can create opportunities. It connected the philosophical questions I loved with real-world outcomes. I started devouring books on investing, following the markets daily, and exploring how narratives drive asset prices.
Eventually, I found that finance offered the intellectual challenge I craved and the ability to apply abstract thinking in a tangible, fast-moving environment. What began as a pragmatic career decision quickly became a genuine calling. I have stayed in the industry ever since, not only because of the dynamism of the markets, but also because I enjoy helping people make sense of uncertainty and turn it into opportunity.
Why Are You So Passionate About ETFs And ETPs?
I have been passionate about ETFs because I have seen firsthand how this industry transformed from what was once considered a niche corner of finance into the front lines of innovation in asset management. When I started out, ETFs were still viewed by many as a backwater product, tools for low cost indexing or institutional hedging. Fast forward to today, and they are the engine room of portfolio construction, market access, and even trading strategies for both retail and institutional investors.
What excites me most is how ETFs democratize investing. They have broken down barriers whether it’s giving everyday investors access to complex strategies asset classes like options income or crypto, or allowing investors to gain surgical exposures in a cost-effective, tax efficient, liquid wrapper. The innovation in the ETF space has been relentless, and it’s become a platform for expressing bold, forward-looking ideas.
At Roundhill, we are pushing that frontier even further whether it is building first-of-their-kind thematic products or pioneering weekly income ETFs. For me, ETFs aren't just wrappers, they are tools to translate powerful investment themes into real-world access. That intersection of strategy, structure, and creativity is what keeps me passionate every day.
What Sets Your ETFs And ETPs Apart From The Competition?
At Roundhill, we don’t launch products to follow the herd, we build them to lead. What sets our ETFs apart is that we start with a differentiated idea and create the product from the needs of the investor, not from what is easy to package or already out there.
Whether it is being first-to-market with access to unique asset classes like physical uranium or bitcoin options income, or creating thematic strategies tied to durable, disruptive trends like sports betting, gaming, or generative AI, we focus on innovation that’s thoughtful, not just trendy.
But product alone isn’t enough. We take structure seriously. We are obsessive about ETF mechanics, operational excellence, and tax efficiency because the outcome matters more than the theme. And we pair that with a commitment to investor education that helps our products stand out on a shelf that’s never been more crowded.
At the end of the day, we are not trying to be everything to everyone. We are focused on building a next-generation ETF firm, one that delivers access, relevance, and performance potential through high-conviction exposures. That clarity of purpose is what makes our lineup different and why we are earning the trust of a growing group of investors and advisors.
What is your favorite ETF right now?
It is tough to pick just one—we build products we believe in. But if I had to choose, I would highlight two that represent what Roundhill does best: MAGS and our WeeklyPay ETF lineup. MAGS, our Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF, is my favorite ETF of all-time and I have launched over 100 of them over the years. It is become the go-to tool for targeted exposure to the most dominant companies driving the market today.
Whether you are a retail investor building a portfolio or an institution managing billions, MAGS offers precise, high-conviction access to the real engines of innovation and performance. It is highly liquid, cost-effective, and—most importantly, intuitive.
On the other side of the coin, I am incredibly excited about our new suite of WeeklyPay ETFs. These are the first single stock ETFs designed to pay distributions weekly, something we believe resonates in this environment of yield-hungry investors. In addition, these first-of-their kind ETFs aim to provide enhanced returns equal to 120% of a given single stock's calendar week price return offering a powerful combination of weekly income and single stock leverage.
What Are Your Thoughts On The Recent Market Volatility And Downturn?
Market volatility and downturns are never comfortable, but they are also never permanent. What we are seeing now is a reset in expectations. After a strong run, particularly in tech and large-cap growth, markets are grappling with higher-for-longer interest rates, still elevated valuations, and growing macro headwinds.
One of the biggest sources of uncertainty right now is trade policy. With tariffs back in the headlines, investors are rightly re-evaluating the impact on global supply chains, input costs, and corporate margins. Tariffs create noise, but more importantly, they introduce real economic friction that markets have to price in.
This kind of environment tends to shake out excess but also creates opportunity. Volatility isn’t a flaw—it is a feature of dynamic markets. The key is staying grounded, avoiding emotional decisions, and recognizing that pullbacks often lay the foundation for future gains.
We believe fundamentals are coming back into focus, and that is a good thing. It is a time to be selective, to reassess exposures, and to stay invested with discipline and clarity.
What Is Your Top Piece Of Advice For Investors?
Stay focused on your time horizon. In a world that moves at the speed of headlines and algorithmic trades, it is easy to get pulled into the moment by chasing what is hot, panicking on down days, or trying to time the next turn. But successful investing is rarely about reacting to today. It is about positioning for what matters over the next three, five, or ten years.
Volatility, drawdowns, and policy uncertainty like we are seeing now with tariffs are inevitable. But they are also temporary. What endures is the ability to stay disciplined, invest with intention, and let compounding work in your favor. That is why having a clear view of your goals and matching your strategy to your time horizon is so critical.
Markets reward patience more than precision. The best investors aren’t the ones who guess right all the time, they are the ones who stay invested when it matters most.
Thank you Dave Mazza for your time in this exclusive interview, and keep up the great work with Roundhill Investments ETFs!
