Showing posts with label Stock Market. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stock Market. Show all posts

ETF Empowerment Exclusive Paul Green Investing Interview

etf empowerment paul green investing interview


We recently caught up with Paul Green who is an increasingly influential retail investor, markets thought leader, and believer in liberty. We appreciate having him in this exclusive follow-up 2026 interview on his investments and thoughts on the current market / economy. Follow him on X.

How Did You Get Started With Investing?

I started investing around the beginning of 2021. I had made the decision to start winding down operations at my car dealership within 2 years, and knew I would have some money coming to me as I ceased operations. I didn't want to just have my money parked in a savings account, which at the time was paying 0.4%. I also had recently turned 50. I realized I had done a poor job of preparing for retirement. I have a small pension coming my way from a job I worked at years ago, but just having that and social security wasn't going to cut it. It dawned on me that I had a limited amount of time to make up for that. That is when I started reading about investing in the stock market. 

You Have Become Somewhat Of A Financial Influencer And Geopolitics Influencer On X. How Did This Come About? 

I don't really consider myself to be an financial influencer on X. I have some people, like yourself, who ostensibly follow me primarily for financial content, but I don't see me being particularly influential in that regard. I give my opinions, talk about what I do in my own portfolio, both the good and the bad, hoping someone can learn from my mistakes or maybe be inspired to try a different approach. If anyone considers me an influencer for that, I am flattered. As far as being an influencer in geopolitics, once again, I don't see myself being an influencer, as there are lots of accounts with a much bigger platform than I have. 

But sharing my thoughts on the political scene started in 2015. When I created my X / Twitter account, I was primarily just talking about pro wrestling. As the 2016 presidential primaries started to take shape in May 2015, I felt it was important to give my take on what was going on. I always had an interest in politics since I was a child, and I did things like win a write in campaign to be elected to the county executive committee, a brief campaign to run for state assembly, etc. Talking politics came naturally to me, and I tend to be sarcastic and poke fun at events, which got me a small but loyal following. I come at things from the libertarian perspective, and the people who have stayed with me or the new follows I get for political content are more aligned with my libertarian philosophy of personal liberty, free markets and following the Constitution. 

I have been followed by some strong voices in that sphere such as Thomas Massie, Justin Amash, The Libertarian Party official account and too many others to name, so maybe some people have taken notice. 

What Is Your Favorite ETF Right Now? 

If you force me to pick one, at this moment, I like RDTE, the Roundhill ETF that uses a covered call strategy playing the Russell 2000 Index. It pays a dividend weekly, and the NAV has been stable in comparison to a lot of the other weekly paying ETFs out there. 

What Do You Think About The Recent Market Volatility? 

The recent market volatility has caused me to take a more cautious approach. The amount of dividends I receive has dropped, and I am trying to play it a bit more safe until the global instability regarding our military operations against Iran have played out. 

Are You Bullish Or Bearish Overall On The U.S. And Global Markets? 

On both US and global markets, I am bearish in the short term. I previously mentioned the US/Iran conflict as a factor. I am also a bit concerned with Trump's nominee to be the next Fed Chairman. If the new chairman succumbs to the pressure and lowers interest rates too quickly, you could see inflation spike. Long term, I am bullish. I have seen enough cycles over the years to know things eventually go back up overall. 

What Do You Do In Your Personal Life That Helps With Your Financial Success? 

I don't live an extravagant lifestyle. My father always told me "It is not how much you make, it is how much you keep." That is one lesson that I always remember. I have fun and enjoy life, but I don't worry about keeping up with what other people are doing. The only person I am competing with is myself, trying to be better tomorrow than I was today. 

Thank you so much for your time Paul on this exclusive retail investor interview. Keep crushing it on social media along with in the market!

The 5 Best Investments During Inflation

best investments for inflation

Without earning compounding interest, your money's value is wasting away each year at an alarming rate. Your one dollar today will not be able to buy the same goods in the next few decades (or months at this point), and this is because of inflation. It is inflation that is measuring the services in the economy and the measures of average price levels in a country. This is the increase in price at a given point in time. Because of inflation results, the currency that you are holding today will buy less than before. With your buying power and savings at a loss, especially in a time of increasing inflation and wage stagnation (stagflation), you have to start planning to minimize it the best you can. 

Inflation is running rampant across the United States and many parts of the world right now due to many factors with prices skyrocketing. In fact, the U.S. and other countries just printed more money in the past 2 years than they have in the previous 200! The Fed continues to keep the printing press going for now. And with rapidly growing national debt adding up each year, things on the horizon don't look very promising. While inflation needs to be lowered down to a normal 2-3%, it has been hovering around 4% for awhile in 2025! Even mortgage rates are now at record highs, although they won't last forever since the red hot housing market will eventually cool. Clearly the inflation is not "transitory" as it was called for many months, and could contribute to an upcoming global recession. 

Now in 2025 it looks like inflation is starting to cool off slowly along with home prices, and eventually mortgage rates will start falling a bit. But nobody is home free yet.

Inflated pricing a complicated issue with many moving parts. The record-breaking inflation is blamed by many on Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Powell, The Fed, Russia, or China. But the truth is that no one single person or country or industry or political policy is to blame after the Coronavirus pandemic fallout that has wreaked havoc on the economy.

Nowadays just going to the grocery store or buying building materials is costing a fortune at this point, if you can even get the products you are looking for at all in our new inflation nation. There is a noticeable shortage on all items, and prices are reflecting it. Empty shelves and panic buying are occurring even now, especially around the holidays. Even the almighty Dollar Tree will be raising prices on some items above $1 soon! Some products don't increase prices but instead just reduce size or quantity to cut costs.

This is why it is essential to have a hedge against inflationary price increases. When prices go up, you need an investment that will go up in value, and your portfolio should be able to keep up with the costs as you age. In addition, the economy of a particular country can rapidly contribute to inflation. This can be in the form of a rise in wages or rapid processing of oil and other raw materials. 

It is natural to have inflation in the market. However, who wants to lose money over time? It helps to lower your bills and save more money, but what you really need to do is invest in things that give you a return higher than the level of inflation. This is why many disciplined investors are going into other asset classes when they notice that the markets are going to turn into a climate of inflation. Some of the top assets that you may consider to fight inflation include the following: 

5 Top Investment Options To Fight Inflation

1. Gold 

gold investment hedge against inflation bullion bars

Gold bullions or coins are always considered a hedge when the prices are soaring. This is because gold has not lost its value over centuries, and it’s still considered by many as an alternative currency. Gold bars and specific coins are helpful when a native currency of a country is losing its value as the people’s trust in the government becomes lesser. This is a physical asset that one can hold in their hands, and the value tends to hold for the most part. 

2. Bond Portfolios 

Bond portfolios with 60/40 stock are a traditional mix of bonds and stocks, and they are considered the safest investments. They are conservative, and if you’re unsure about how to do the work on your own and are reluctant to pay for an advisor, you can consider the dimensional DFA Global Allocation instead. This can be a straightforward strategy, and like any other investment plan, it has its cons. 

If you compare them to equity portfolios, they won’t perform well over a significant period of time. There are also the effects of compounding interest to consider. It is essential that the 60/40 is only a hedge that will keep the overall portfolio safe. However, you will likely be missing out on a few returns compared to the stocks with a high percentage. Some bonds have been booming, but no investment is guaranteed in a volatile economy filled with inflation. Bonds have also been having a moment in 2025.

3. Real Estate Investment Trust 

reit etfs real estate investing hedge against inflation property purchases

The REITs are known to be real estate companies that operate and own some income-producing properties. These houses tend to rise with inflation, and you can invest in one that consists of a pool of other like-minded people. The pool will pay out the dividends to the investors. Of course, if you want more exposure to this but want a lower expense ratio, you can always consider Vanguard Real Estate ETFs

However, know that there are disadvantages when you put all your money into a real estate investment trust. They are very sensitive to the changes in high-yielding assets. As the interest rates are rising, some people find it attractive to invest in treasury securities, and the result is a lower share of prices because the funds were withdrawn away from the REITs. 

Another thing is that REITs need to pay property taxes, and this can be more than 20% of their total operational costs. If the council or municipal authorities suddenly pass a law that increases the taxes for the budget shortfalls, the shareholders may find themselves strapped for cash. 

There are certainly high yields in general, but the taxes are imposed on the dividends. Most of the rates fall at about 15%, and the dividends are currently taxed according to the higher percentage of REIT. They are considered a personal income that can raise the rates and potentially put you in a higher tax bracket. 

4. S&P 500 

Stocks are still the best choice when you want to invest for the long term. Businesses usually have gained from inflation, especially if they require little capital as a start-up. Those that are often dependent on natural resources are considered losers. 

Today, the S&P 500 has a high enough concentration when it comes to communication services and technology businesses. They can account for more than 35% of the stake in the Index. Overall, the communications and technological developments serve as capital-light for many companies, and they can emerge as winners afterwards. 

If you are going to invest in the S&P 500, you need to look into the SPDR ETF for the S&P 500 that will be a watch list on your behalf. However, like any other investments out there, specific disadvantages may be present in the S&P 500 Index. One of the significant drawbacks includes giving a higher priority to many companies with a lot of market capitalization. The stock prices for the larger companies will influence the Index in no time. Also, there are no exposures with the small capital companies that historically provided the best returns. 

But when it comes to the very basics, you can get around a 9% growth per year investing in the stock market compared to a 3% loss to inflation each year. And all the compound interest from dividends really adds up.

5. Income From Real Estate 

real estate income beat inflation rental property

The income from real estate comes with rentals. The amount and cash flow you receive every month can beat inflation. When the inflation rises, expect that your home will also increase in value. This is because the landlord can charge a higher amount each month. The result is that there will be a higher rental income that keeps up with the inflation. This is one of the best reasons you should consider investing in real estate if you want diversification. 

However, know that there are cons to real estate investing. First, you have to cough up a considerable amount of money for the initial investment, and the transaction costs are higher than what you may have anticipated. Additional costs like insurance, repairs, and maintenance can't be forgotten as well.

The second thing is that houses and real estate are not liquid, so you can’t quickly sell them without substantial losses in their value. Purchasing a home will require maintenance and management, and you also have a great deal of financial liability if you don’t research this industry before getting into it. And don't forget about other costs like property taxes or condo HOA fees!

In addition to rental income real estate or flipping properties, you can also invest in land if you speculate that it will increase in value over time.

Ignore Inflation Increases 

Inflation can be tough on your personal finances, small business, and retirement planning. But utilizing the above investment options, potentially along with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or other precious metals like silver, will ensure that your investing goals aren't inhibited. With a smart strategy including the tips above, you can inhibit the inflation inflammation!

Roundhill CEO Dave Mazza ETF Investing Interview

dave mazza ceo roundhill investments interview etfs

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!

Si Katara TappAlpha CEO Interview On ETFs

si katara tappalpha ceo interview etf investing etfs

Si Katara is the CEO of TappAlpha. Follow him on X and LinkedIn. Follow TappAlpha on LinkedIn and on X.com and visit the TappAlpha website. 

How Did You Get Started In The Financial Industry? 

I didn’t come from Wall Street originally. Instead I came from building tech companies. After my first exit, I realized something: the best financial strategies were still locked behind closed doors — out of reach for most people. I founded TappAlpha to change that — to make powerful strategies simple, transparent, and accessible for everyone. 

Why Are You So Passionate About ETFs And ETPs? 

I am passionate about ETF products because they give regular investors a real shot. ETFs take strategies that used to be reserved for the top 1% and make them available to anyone with a brokerage account. They are simple, transparent, and efficient — and they fit perfectly with TappAlpha’s mission: unlocking powerful financial opportunities for everyday investors and advisors. 

What Sets Your ETFs Apart From The Competition? 

TSPY stands out because it combines full S&P 500 exposure with a daily income strategy — not just monthly or quarterly. We designed it for real-world investors—balancing growth, income, and tax efficiency—while most competitors sacrifice one to deliver another. Under the hood, TSPY leverages fintech-powered execution to manage daily options strategies with speed, consistency, and discipline. Our goal is simple: deliver income today, and build growth for tomorrow. 

What Is Your Favorite ETF Right Now? 

TSPY is my favorite of the ETFs out there right now. I designed it because nothing out there fit my own family’s portfolio — something that could give us the power of the S&P 500, plus meaningful daily income potential, without giving up long-term growth. The key was, we already had the potential sitting in our portfolio by owning the S&P 500. We just didn’t have the tools to get more from what we already had — until TSPY. That is actually the idea behind our company name, TappAlpha: tapping into the power of what we already have, and turning it into the outcomes we need. 

What Are Your Thoughts On The Recent Market Volatility And Downturn So Far This Year? 

Volatility isn’t something to fear — it is something to prepare for. Big swings create big opportunities, but only if you have the right strategy and the right tools in place. TSPY was built to lean into that — capturing the growth of the market while using daily opportunities to generate income, even when things get choppy. 

What Is Your Top Piece Of Advice For Investors? 

Invest like you are building the future you want to live in. Stay invested. Stay strategic. Don’t chase headlines — focus on owning great assets, using smart strategies, and letting time and consistency work in your favor. 

Thank you so much for your time and insights in this exclusive review Si Katara. Keep up the great work with TappAlpha ETF products!

GraniteShares CEO Will Rhind Interview On ETF Investing

will rhind interview etf investing ceo graniteshares etfs

Will Rhind is the Founder and CEO of GraniteShares. Follow him on X and LinkedIn

How Did You Get Started In The Financial Industry? 

I joined the Japanese Investment Bank Nomura as my first job after college. I moved into asset management around one and a half years later joining Barclays Global Investors (now Blackrock). I joined at the right time as the firm was launching the first ETFs in Europe and the ETF industry we know now was just beginning. 

Why Are You So Passionate About ETFs And ETPs? 

I was lucky enough to start working with ETFs at the very dawn of the industry in Europe and the US. I have worked with the product for almost my whole career now and have seen the amount of assets managed grow to approximately $20 Trillion today in 2026, and still growing. Graniteshares alone has over $13 Billion in AUM now.

ETFs have revolutionized asset management and the way we invest. They have replaced the legacy mutual fund as the investment vehicle of choice and offer investors a huge range of investment choices at very low cost. The exciting part to me is that I still feel we have a long way to go in terms of growth, strength and depth of offering. 

What Sets Your ETFs And ETPs Apart From The Competition? 

Over time we have developed a specialty in what we call high conviction ETFs. High conviction ETFs are, as the name suggests, investments that are designed to offer a greater potential for reward and risk. Leveraged Single Stocks have been a new ETF phenomenon that we pioneered and are a market leader in. 

Investors like the ability to trade daily leveraged exposures, typically +2X, to popular stocks such as Nvidia (NVDL), Tesla (TSLR) Palantir (PTIR). We offer an exciting range of options ETFs called YieldBoost that aim to generate high yields from options selling strategies. We also offer Gold (BAR) and other unique strategies all centered around our high conviction philosophy. 

What Is Your Favorite ETF Right Now? 

Like my children I love them all equally but I do think that our YieldBoost ETF range has some really exciting potential. It is a totally unique approach that sets itself apart from the competition. 

What Is Your Top Piece Of Advice For Investors? 

There are so many things to say but I think time horizon is probably one of the most valuable things to consider. Most people probably don't think long term enough when it comes to investing or markets. Markets can be volatile but knowing that the market will go up over a long enough time horizon probably helps you sleep well at night which is invaluable. 

Thank you so much for your time and insights in this exclusive interview Will Rhind when it comes to ETFs and investing! Keep up the excellent work with GraniteShares.

PM Dan Weiskopf Interview On ETF Investing

portfolio manager dan weiskopf interview etf investing PM

Dan Weiskopf is a trailblazer in the ETF and ETP industry. He is the Senior Portfolio Manager at Tidal Financial Group and Co-Portfolio Manager of $NANC, $GOP and $BLOK. Follow him on X and LinkedIn

Here is our exclusive interview with PM and financial industry legend Dan Weiskopf:

How Did You Get Started In The Financial Industry? 

I started in the financial industry in the summer of 1987 and by October it felt like people were jumping out of the window because it was “Black Monday”, October 19 and the market was “Crashing”. Concerns over inflation, excessive market speculation and valuations were  the main source of concern back then, but also there were issues with circuit breakers and technicals that contributed to the panic. I think that day the market was down almost 23 percent. This correction has similar characteristic of concern, but thus far has been more orderly despite the concerns around the risks that might come from the chaos coming from Trump tariff.  My hope is that as a business man, President Trump  knows companies cannot  move as fast as his policy changes are dictating, especially in the 2026 economy disrupted substantially by AI. 

Why Are You So Passionate About ETFs And ETPs? 

I feel like I was orange pilled on ETFs when I closed my hedge fund after rule FD was implemented in 1999 (rule full disclosure). Rule FD took away some of my edge on investing in companies, but I still talk to Managements every day, but to be honest about it the conversations are very different. For me ETFs have always been about access and the opportunity to create different investment steams and or alpha. I am very passionate about innovation that has come in the wrapper. I was so excited to join Tidal in 2018. I may not have been the first at Tidal, but let’s just say I was all hands on when we were just 8 people strong. Today in 2025 we are over 100 employees strong.

Over the 25 years that I have been involved in ETFs the problem of a few large asset managers dominating the asset mix has been a challenge for me. Innovation in the ETF market takes a commitment towards entrepreneurship. We need more early adopters who are financial advisors willing to embrace the next possible next generation of ETFs. Over the years I have curated a group of FAs who believe they can make a difference with their ETF selection. ETF flows should not be  just be about the big firms and their ability to copy each other with broad indexes at lower fees. Sometimes it feels like there is an ETF oligopoly and investors deserve more than just low cost. We are very much trying to change that paradigm at Tidal which is a white label provider 

What Sets Your ETFs And ETPs Apart From The Competition? 

I work with Mike Venuto on various actively managed Funds. Our biggest Fund is $BLOK which has the picks and axes mandate that focuses on Blockchain. The Fund was early and launched in 2018 so it has a long history. Everyone knows about Bitcoin, but I am not sure everyone appreciates that it is a Blockchain. We have about 15-17 exposure to this area of “direct Bitcoin exposure”. We were early investors in 2020 in Strategy (MSTR) and had a similar success with Metaplanet last year (3350 JP). We recently bought into Gamestop (GME), but I am not a believer that just having Bitcoin as a treasury asset is enough to make a difference. 

We think these three situations are positioned to differentiate themselves in different ways. In addition, we see the infrastructure building out really accelerating in 2025 now that we have a new administration. I am not going to get political on you, but it is literally a 180 degree change between  Biden and Trump on the issues that surround digital transformation, forming policies and framing regulation. I mean in April a small quadrillion firm called DTCC announced its progress in the area, but in prior years their efforts towards the technology was all on the hush. See more on this X post here.

The space is a bit crowded with ETF now, but most of the funds are passively managed and have very little contact with management  teams in the ecosystem. They are also highly concentrated in their holdings where our strategy seeks to manage risk through a diversified approach. We also write every month about the portfolio. Over the past 7 years we have been consistently holding about 50 investments. Untimely, it is likely that indexes,  stocks and bonds will be offered on a 24/7 blockchain wrapped as tokens and referred to as digital assets. Just ask Larry Fink! I think Larry Fink’s Annual Letter is a must read for everyone.

BLOK is also different in that as an active Fund it can participate in IPOs.  Recently, we bought into Coreweave (CRWV) IPO. When the stock market stabilizes we think the IPO market will heat up in this area. We think there are 15-20 companies with pending IPOs. 

What Is Your Favorite ETF Right Now? 

My favorite ETF remains BLOK, but that is because it has the most innovation and potential to disrupt. It also has the longest history of the Funds I manage with Mike Venuto. 

The Unusual Whales Subversive Democrat Trading ETF ($NANC) and the Unusual Whales Subversive Trading Republican ($GOP)  are a second favorite.  Members of Congress ETFs took my passion for ETFs to a different level. There is a lot of talk that members of Congress should not invest in stocks given their conflicts of interest. Maybe this is true, but many are quite wealthy and very successful investors. The ETF wrapper is a wonderful transparent deliver tool to see how those members of Congress are allocated. The disclosure is supposed to be after 45 days. Nancy Pelosi has a wonderful track record of timely targeted investing and she runs fairly concentrated with her strategy. NANC has some overlap with her personal strategy, but again we are trying to model not to just one member of congress. To this point, however, historically we would highlight that NANC has tilted heavily towards growth and technology. Conversely, GOP recently really tilted towards Bitcoin. 

David McCormick has multiple consecutive buys in the spot ETFs. For those who don’t know, Senator McCormick was also the CEO of Bridgewater so he is known to surround himself with smart people.  Then there were two members of Congress, Neal Dunn and Jefferson Schreve who in March both disclosed StrategyB (MSTR) buys within the same week. Obviously, this research is also constructive for BLOK. I try not to let personal biases influence the decision making process for NANC and GOP, but in the case for Bitcoin and MSTR I had to get a little excited. 

A passive fund that I am amazed that does not get enough attention is the $WOMN ETF. The process is systematically focused on choosing stocks which are aligned with women’s empowerment. It has a long term history of strong performance. As a PM, I would note that there is a study that supports that stocks with women who are CFOs outperform their male counter parties. Take that one to the bank!

What Are Your Thoughts On The Recent Market Volatility And Downturn? 

Two funds I haven’t mentioned that Mike and I work together on is a solution we built that lines up with the  Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE). The tickers are FIRS and FIRI. The FIRE community is a wonderful lifestyle and admirable goal.  Most people would benefit by saving more in the early years so that when they are older they have a better lifestyle or at least one with less financial pressure. The thing is that after two back to back years that cumulatively compounded at a 50 percent rate we thought a little diversification offered to the FIRE community would make sense. 

Kind of like the treasury market shouldn’t always be expected to rally, especially after a 30 year trend; we thought looking for income in other places made sense. Using the Tidal platform we launched these funds off of a strategy that Mike had been running for over 10 years. We don’t charge a fee for the active management Mike and I do on these funds because we want to be authentic to the community, but the managers on our platform do charge a fee. Most importantly, we think we are providing a best of breed service in selecting these ETFs on our platform. 

Anyway, FIRI generates income through options premiums and short duration ETFs. The overlap to the Barclays Agg is minimal. FIRS is the wealth builder strategy and is modeled after Harry Brown’s Permanent Portfolio. 

Your question about volatility is a challenge for me. Truth is I hate volatility, but you can’t be a supporter  of innovation without the expectation of times when you feel uncomfortable. Markets are always right in my opinion. However, as I said before we are pleased that these two funds, as alternative strategies,  are doing what they were designed to do and manage downside in a less correlated way than other strategies. 

Funny thing about the expectations around volatility in 2025. Really,  who can be surprised? President Trump is polarizing and his plans are aggressive. This is not a political statement - when you get on a plane we think it’s best to cheer for the pilot - even if they are flying the wrong direction. Landing safely is the first priority!! Having said that - while the honeymoon is over - my gut tells me that while change is scary - I see him addressing many foundational issues. I just hope my heart can handle it! The key, however, is going to be that investors need to follow the policy. He may polarizing, but he has been transparent in telegraphing his agenda. My brain tells me that he is a better businessman than a politician or dancer. 

What Is Your Top Piece Of Advice For Investors? 

I often write that Structure Matters. My advice is to look at investing as a journey that you must own for the benefit of yourself. If you want to be a Vanguard disciple just know what you own and why it works. Do not just set it and forget it under the principles that history will repeat itself. The world is constantly changing. Similarly, if you want to compliment such a strategy, the FIRE Funds are a good match, but again look under the hood and know what you own. At a minimum, you will learn something. Put differently, we are believers that security selection matters as a compliment  to the plain vanilla discipline of investing. Structure matters also with how Blockchain will disrupt many different industries. 

We already know that HELOCs can be offered cheaper and faster on-chain. Term life insurance policies programmed as smart contracts on the Blockchain are also done in such a way payment to the beneficiary is automatic. A dirty little secret in the insurance industry is that a good portion of term insurance is never paid out. My advice - always take a breadth and assess the situation through the lens that structure matters. Untimely, such an approach will walk you through a decision making process that is constructive. 

Thank you so much for this incredible exclusive interview Dan Weiskopf, we greatly appreciate your ETF and investing insights in this volatile market, and hope to get a follow-up interview with you in 2026!

Interview With CIO Sylvia Jablonski On ETFs

interview sylvia jablonski etf investing defiance investments ceo cio

Sylvia Jablonski is a trailblazer in the financial and ETF industries. She is the current CIO of Defiance Investments. Follow her on X & LinkedIn for investing insights and financial commentary.

How Did You Get Started In The Financial Industry Sylvia? 

I started my career on the institutional side of the business, working with structured products, derivatives, and global investment strategies. Early on, I was fascinated by how financial innovation could create access and opportunity. That naturally led me to ETFs, which I saw as the future of investing—transparent, cost-effective, and endlessly adaptable to emerging trends. 

Why Are You So Passionate About ETFs And ETPs? 

ETFs democratize investing for retail investors and smaller firms. They give everyday investors access to strategies and sectors that were once only available to institutions. Whether it is AI, quantum computing, or even access to the S&P 500 minus the mag7, ETFs let you own a piece of the future without needing a hedge fund or private capital. It is this blend of accessibility and innovation that drives my passion every day. 

What Sets Your ETFs And ETPs Apart From The Competition? 

At Defiance, we focus on disruptive innovation. We are not afraid to be first movers—we launched one of the first 6G ETFs and are early leaders in quantum tech exposure with QTUM, which remains a favorite of mine. We build products that reflect where the world is going, not where it has been. Our strategies resonate globally, and we are seeing strong interest in European markets, where investors are increasingly looking for thematic and tech-forward opportunities. We are committed to growing our footprint there and tailoring products to align with global demand. 

What Is Your Favorite ETF Right Now? 

I must say that the Quantum Computing ETF is still close to my heart as my favorite ETF. It blends quantum computing and machine learning—two technologies poised to reshape everything from finance to healthcare. It is forward-looking, and it captures the spirit of what we are building at Defiance. 

What Is Your Top Piece Of Advice For Investors? 

Stay curious, and don’t be afraid to invest in what you believe in. Thematic ETFs can help you express a long-term vision while still offering liquidity and transparency. But always understand the structure, the holdings, and the risks. Diversify, think globally, and stay focused on the horizon—not just the headlines which change by the minute these days. 

Learn more at Defiance Investments!

Thank you so much for this incredible exclusive interview Sylvia Jablonski! We greatly appreciate your time and insights. 

Read Our Other Top ETF Expert Interviews, More Coming Soon: 

5 Tips To Choose A Premium Broker

tips choosing top broker

You can't always go it alone in the investing world without professional brokers. Choosing the right broker is an essential step in successfully investing. The wrong choice could easily mean you lose money rather than gain it from your investments. 

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There are plenty of premium online brokers to choose from these days for your investment needs. Newer companies provide premium brokers at an affordable rate. Check them out to learn more about their brokerage services! 

Here are five top tips for choosing a premium broker that can set you on the path towards success. 

5 Tips For Selecting The Best Brokers

1. Know Your Needs 

Take a few moments to consider what is most important to you in a trading platform before you start clicking on brokerage advertisements. The answer will vary based upon your investment objectives and where you are along the learning curve. 

If you are just getting started, essential instructional resources, comprehensive glossaries, simple access to support personnel, and the ability to place practice trades first are all excellent options. 

When selecting a broker, the kind of account they provide is crucial. Some firms give a variety of accounts, including traditional cash accounts, margin accounts, options accounts, IRA's, and other sorts of rollover or 401k accounts. While some brokers only provide one account with limited capabilities, others offer many types with more customization when managing your assets. 

2. Test The Broker's Platform 

A test drive is always a good idea, particularly if you are looking for a new broker. Any brokerage should have a decent description of the tools and resources available through their trading platform, but it is often the case that the best way to evaluate quality is to give it a try. It may even be worth going through the signup procedure to use the trading platform if that is what it takes. If you are short on time, a broker chooser has many in-depth guides and reviews where they review the best stock brokers so you don’t have to.

3. Figure Out The Fees 

While fees may seem unimportant, other factors are more important to you than they are to other people. To begin with, establish how much you will spend on any given brokerage such as Schiemer Financial. If the site offers features that its cheaper rivals lack, some may be willing to pay a small premium. However, you generally want to minimize as much of your investment returns as possible before taxes and trading costs. 

You can quickly determine which stockbrokers are too pricey to consider and which aren't appropriate for the sort of investment activity you are interested in by starting with the bottom line. 

You should also look at how they charge fees because even small changes such as $9.99 a trade add up very quickly. The commission they charge will be one of the most critical factors in your decision-making process because that is where you can potentially save money over time. Broker commissions can eat into the overall ROI of your investments long-term.

4. Narrow The Field 

Now that you know your investment goals and what essential services you will desire in your ideal brokerage, it is time to narrow down your choices a bit. While certain broker services will be better suited to some investors than others, there are a few things any reputable online broker should have. With so many alternatives available, assessing these fundamental factors is a fantastic approach to narrow things down quickly. 

Also, think about whether the broker offers a variety of investments such as mutual funds, annuities, and individual equities. It will allow you to diversify your portfolio more efficiently and add new investment possibilities to your portfolio. 

5. Smaller Might Be Better 

Smaller online brokers may not have a large staff able to provide a high level of customer service, but larger firms should offer even better service. You want a broker with an excellent reputation who can answer your questions quickly and accurately whenever you need them. 

Finding the right broker ultimately depends on what type of investment experience you are looking for. If you are starting with limited capital, then a lower commission may be the better option. However, if you have over $100,000 in investments, you might want to look into firms that offer more services because your account will be worth more and therefore should receive special treatment. 

The Bottom Line On The Best Brokers 

The bottom line is that while all brokers are doing the same job, some do it better than others. Finding a broker who offers different accounts and has low fees plus excellent customer service will likely give you the best chance at success. Choose the best broker, or risk going broke! 


By using these tips when choosing a premium broker, you can start investing quickly and efficiently while getting the most value for your investment dollars. 

Interview With Financial Professional Derek Huizinga

interview financial professional lender derek huizinga insurance

Derek Huizinga is the CEO of May 15 Media, May 15 Life, and May 15 Exteriors. He has been a successful businessman and finance pro for 20 years. Follow him on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook

Here is our exclusive interview with business expert Derek Huizinga:

How Did You Get Started With Investing Derek? 

I have been into financial management and investing since high school. I took a Junior Achievement class and led a group of students to win a regional area stock market challenge. By age 19, I got into individual stock and mutual fun investments and I have been hooked (with many ups and downs) since for the last 20 years. 

How Did You Begin Posting Financial Content Online And Which Online Platforms Do You Use The Most? 

I began posting financial content with WordPress blogging through ownership of several news, general, finance related sites. Currently, I use LinkedIn, Instagram, and individual blogs to promote finance content and services. 

What Is Your Favorite ETF Right Now? 

I like to invest in other securities or wealth vehicles. I like stability investments now since my business ventures involve more risk. XDTE from Roundhill Investments is the only ETF I am currently invested in. I have done individual, futures, crypto, traditional and Roth IRA, IUL, and unsecured loans, along with more investments such as websites and domain names. 

What Do You Do In Your Personal Life That Helps With Your Financial Success? 

All of these things factors in my personal life are key to maximize success: exercise, nutrition, faith, reading, adequate rest, and time spent with my wife. Travel is a must to gain new perspectives and refuel the tank of innovation! 

What Is Your Top Piece Of Advice For Retail Investors? 

Do your due diligence and place your risks 3-4x accordingly. Keep working capital when cash is required and give yourself the freedom of proper timing. The best investments in the world require proper timing... and even the worst investments come out ok with proper timing. Time things right and understand the cycles that the market takes! 

Thank you so much Derek Huizinga for the exclusive interview! I know you are a busy guy with many irons in the fire and hats to wear!

Interview With ETF Expert Oktay Kavrak

interview etf expert oktay kavrak leverage shares etfs

Exclusive Interview With ETF Professional Oktay Kavrak. Follow him on X, LinkedIn, and Reddit!

How Did You Get Started In The Financial Industry Oktay? 

I studied finance in college, but it was the CFA program that ultimate piqued my interest in finance. I was particularly interested in the inner working of capital markets and trading which ultimately led to me entering the ETF industry with Leverage Shares

Why Are You So Passionate About ETFs And ETPs? 

I love the fact that it is a level playing field for retail investors. Whether investing $10 or $100,000 - you are getting access to the same product, with the same features, as professional investors in the markets. That is a real game-changer for smaller investors.

What Sets Your ETFs And ETPs Apart From The Competition? 

We were the first company globally to launch single-stock ETPs - this was on the London Stock Exchange back in 2018. This segment has since become one of the hottest areas in the ETF/ETP space, with over $100 billion in AUM globally. Our latest innovation is Europe’s first high-yield income ETPs on single stocks and indices - our IncomeShares suite launched in 2024. We have brought innovation to the fastest-growing ETF market in the world (Europe) and we will continue to do so in 2026 with additional expansion. 

What Is Your Favorite ETF Right Now? 

For trading, it is the 5x Magnificent 7 ETP (ticker MAG7, in London). It is a straightforward way to “buy the dip” in tech stocks I am personally bullish on. There are many excellent funds available from Income Shares and Leverage Shares as well for various investing objectives.

For long-term buy-and-hold investing, I like the iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (ticker IWDA, in London). With a single trade, I get exposure to 85% of listed equities across more than 20 developed markets. It is my "one-and-done" holding of choice. 

What Is Your Top Piece Of Advice For Investors? 

Stick to your plan and stay invested through both bull and bear markets. More money has been lost trying to time the market than by simply holding through drawdowns. Investing isn’t always smooth sailing, but extending your holding period gives you a much better shot at long-term success with ETFs for 2026 and 2027.

We hope to do a new followup interview with Oktay Kavrak of IncomeShares and Leverage Shares in 2026 after all of his recent successes!

A Comprehensive Guide On Binary Option Assets

guide binary option assets trading

Binary option assets are complex, exotic options for trade, but these are especially easy to use and understand their working methods. It's the high-low and fairly easy to understand the most common type of binary option. This strategy is also known as the fixed return method, offering product and exchange access, indexes and inventories. 

The binary options assets trading is simple and you don't need an experience beforehand. Below are some simple recommendations that we have gathered to help start trading in a couple of minutes. 

Guidelines For Start Trading 

• You will need to use rather than one broker to be an effective binary option assets trader. Select one or both of our lists of brokers assembled. 

• Enter your selected trading platform and deposits your trading money. The maintenance fee is only $100 for certain trading platforms or binary option assets robots. 

• Choose a business asset. Trading platforms include properties like currencies, indexes, commodities, and inventories. The most common one is EUR / USD and it can be exchanged in currencies. 

• Start deciding on the investment amount. You can also see the payout or returns on your investments when you invest in an estate, which can go up to 91%. Predict how the price of the binary option assets will rise. Select Call (up) if you expect the price of a property to increase. You can choose Put (down) if the price is expected to fall. 

• If the trade is concluded after a certain time, after 60 seconds, for instance, if the investment is 60 seconds and you've made the right forecast, then you win. A $100 investment with a 90% return means you'll have made $90 in a matter of minutes. 

Advice Of General Risk 

Trading in binary option assets entails a high risk and can destroy all of your funds Binary and automated options in the EEA are excluded. 

CFDs are sophisticated instruments that are extremely likely to lose money quickly due to leverage. Around 74-89% of retail investors lose money in the CFD exchange. You should recognize that understanding the way CFDs function and being able to take the high risk that your money will be lost. 

The overall financial products pose a higher risk and can lead to the loss of all your assets. Always spend money you can't afford to lose. 

Sign An Account With A Broker 

Specifically, I have six separate brokers and I would suggest that all serious traders open multiple accounts with different brokers so that a wide range of assets can be generated. 

Commercial Choices Categories 

Binary option assets are diverse in nature and many more of them can be exchanged from. The Higher-Lower Call Put is a comparatively simple trade option. An investor's forecast as to whether the price will increase or fall within a given time frame. The investor will call if the prediction is an increase and Put if a decline is predicted. 

High Low / Call Put 

This is the simplest and easiest binary option assets trading. The investor must only predict whether the asset prices will increase or decrease within a given time frame. The investor then chooses to call if the forecast is a price increase and to put if it drops. 

One-Touch Of Binary Option Assets 

The investor forecast in this binary option assets that even before the end of that period, the value of the asset would hit a particular value. 

Trading reserves, for instance, are worth EUR / USD on Friday at 1.3500. The investor may sell two alternatives to a business site, such as the Bank de Binary or 24Option. The put option is to increase the asset price to at least once over the next week and to reach 1,3800. 

The alternative is to decrease and at least once in the week to 1,3200 the value of the asset. If you are using a call option or a position option and the price is the specified price, you win. 

No Touch Of Binary Option 

It is only the situation that you choose the price that the asset should not exceed before the chosen time in almost the same form as the CALL / PUT option. 

Instance: Google's stock price is $540 and the No Click trading platform is $570 with a 77% return rate. If, after that time, the price does not exceed 570 dollars, then you have a profit. 

30 Second Trading 

The option provides a prediction of a rise (Call) or a decrease in the asset value in 30 seconds. 

Boundary Options 

Such options provide lower and upper range boundaries with a cost within or outside its borders. 

Conclusion 

Across various markets, binary options assets offer a unique and easy way to trade price indicators on a global range. The potential risks are there and both the trader and the incentive must be knowledgeable of these risks.

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