The ability for investors to invest in leveraged ETFs should not be altered in any way. ProShares and other firms do an excellent job informing investors of the inherent risks in leveraged ETFs. It is then up to the investor to make his/her own informed decision on whether he/she has the risk appetite to invest in such funds. In a free market democratic society, investing ones own earned funds where they see fit is a fundamental principle.

Leveraged and inverse funds are great investment tools for most investors. They really only need a basic understanding of the market and economics. More unique regulations are not required and could negatively impact the benefits of these tools without preventing the negative consequences of investing in the market. Investing in the market has has inherent risk. There are many ways to lose significant money with the wrong investment strategy.

Although it might be good intention to enforce more rules and regulation for leveraged and inverse ETFs. The enforcement could create unfair conditions for investors. Leveraged and inverse ETFs might have their own unique characteristics. But once put on the market and traded freely by market participants, the market force will help regulate behaviors of investors. All investments have risk. And the leveraged and inverse ETFs do not presenet any more risk, than a company that could go bankrupt and wipe all value of common stocks.

I am fully aware of how these work and choose to accept greater risk on a small portion of my investments.

I am now retired and age 76 but worked most of my career investing as a fiduciary on behalf of pensions, foundations, and endowment founds. I now invest my own IRA via ETrade and have sometimes used leveraged ETFs to manage risk. For example, since I hold some longer term corporate bonds I recently used the TBT ProShares ultrashort Treasury bond to hedge against the rise in interest rates. Please don't take this option away.

Dear regulators, I am very concerned about your new proposals to limit the ability of individual investors to invest in leveraged or inverse funds. While this is being pursued under the guise of protecting individual investors, it instead harms individual investors by limiting their ability to invest in vehicles which are available to institutional investors. While I can understand having required reading materials to invest in higher risk vehicles, the remainder of the proposed regulations simply act as barriers to individual investors and make an even more uneven playing field.

I oppose your desire to restrict my freedom to choose what I can do with the money I earned. Your regulatory body has no right to take away my liberties in this manner. Ideas such as this run counter to American ideals. Unelected technocrats like yourselves must stop burdening citizens and eroding our freedom with ideas such as this.

I want the freedom to use the money that I have earned and invested where I want.

I, as an investor, should have the right to choose the public investments. Public investments should be available to all of the public. I should not have to go through any special process like passing a test before I can invest in public securities, like leveraged and inverse funds. I have already understood leveraged and inverse funds and their risks. I do not need these measures imposed on me. Leveraged and inverse funds are a good source to help protect my investment and seek enhanced returns.

I have purchased ProShares, which counter fall in bond prices. These shares have provided great financial insurance during the recent substantial rise of interest rates. It is true that ProShares may be more difficult to understand than "simple" Government bonds, but I understand gain from ProShares versus loss of other investment funds. I also understand the "insurance" cost of ProShares if bond prices were to stay constant. Please do not pass regulations that hamper investment in ProShares and similar funds.