By: Gerelyn Terzo
Wealthtech is on the move with strategic investments, partnerships, hirings and more.
- Alto Solutions: Nashville, Tenn.-based fintech company Alto Solutions has teamed up with CalTier Realty, LLC in a deal that will support allocations from a self-directed IRA into commercial real estate. Both accredited and non-accredited investors will be able to access CalTier’s real estate strategies via Alto’s self-directed IRA platform with a minimum investment of $500. Commercial real estate as an asset class can be tricky for retail investors to otherwise gain exposure to. CalTier CEO Matt Belcher points to the firm’s multi-family fund, saying clients will be able to capitalize on “tax advantages self-directed IRAs can provide, all with an automated, seamless solution.”
- Broadridge Financial: Fintech company Broadridge Financial, which provides technology infrastructure to broker-dealers and wealth managers, has tapped a pair of seasoned industry professionals for its LTX platform. Ted Bragg and Jim Kwiatkowski are joining LTX, which is behind an AI-fueled “digital trading platform for corporate bonds.” They will work alongside LTX chief Jim Toffey to advance the digitalization push in corporate bonds. Bragg and Kwiatkowski each have three decades worth of experience, including stints at Nasdaq and the London Stock Exchange, respectively. Toffey said in a statement that Bragg and Kwiatkowski will help LTX to “leverage next-gen technologies to take the bond market to the next level.” The LTX platform boasts 12 dealers and more than four-dozen asset managers, with more in the pipeline.
- Hightower: Chicago-based Hightower has made a strategic investment in Arlington, Va.-based advisory business Alexandria Capital with $1.5 billion in client assets. Alexandria Capital, which also has offices spread across New York, Boston, Portland, Ore., and Juneau, Alaska, was brought on to harness Hightower’s “middle- and back-office and business development capabilities to drive organic growth.” Until now, Alexandria’s strategy has involved “strategic acquisitions and thoughtfully delivered client service,” according to Hightower Chairman and CEO Bob Oros. With the backing of Hightower, the Alexandria team will now be able to focus on client relationships and drumming up new business.
- iCapital Network: Fintech company iCapital Network, which is behind a platform for asset and wealth managers in the alternative investment space, has partnered with high-profile digital asset investment firm Grayscale Investments. Through the collaboration, the firms will give the 6,700-plus advisors on iCapital’s platform serving high-net-worth individuals access to digital asset investing. Advisors will do this via a “Grayscale diversified market-cap-weighted investment strategy.” According to iCapital Network CEO Lawrence Calcano, demand among both advisors and clients for uncorrelated returns is on the rise, and digital currencies fit the bill. Grayscale says its investment strategies will make it easier for advisors to navigate the digital currency landscape.
- Riskalyze: Independent RIA CAPTRUST Financial Advisors has introduced its wealth management team to Riskalyze, including the Risk Number-fueled Risk Alignment Platform. CAPTRUST’s Nick DeCenso explained, “It’s a key part of our clients’ financial success that we assess their risk tolerance properly and Riskalyze will bolster our efforts to do that.” CAPTRUST oversees $600-plus billion in assets under advisement.
