Advisor Tech Talk

This week, there were several impactful news items in the digital assets space—none qualify as the most groundbreaking news of the year, but all speak to the growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology as central to the future of finance and fintech.

As advisors awaken to the quickly evolving wealthtech universe, they’re taking a long, hard look at their own firms and industry—and they don’t always like what they see.

Orion announced that a major executive brought on during its 2020 merger with Brinker Capital will step into a new role, AI-infused next-generation technology investor TIFIN reorganized a new division to help wealth management firms grow, and the SEC and NASAA handed down a penalty that could change the course of the development of digital assets in the U.S. for years to come.

Advisortech firms are announcing more technology enhancements, and new ESG initiatives are being announced for for historically underrepresented financial advisors.

The wealthtech space is increasingly embracing AI and ML. Major banks are making fintech a priority in the new year. Advisors are looking to tech to help investors grow their wealth in the current market environment. 

In the midst of a stock market correction, the advisor community is hiring more talent, revamping products, raising capital, partnering with portfolio management solutions, and accessing more tools to increase their value proposition to clients. 

The wealthtech space is already hitting on some major themes in 2022 including crypto, digital client acquisition, expansions, and direct indexing partnerships. Also, a Swiss tech innovation firm has revealed what investors really want when it comes to financial advisors. 

This week, advisors are strengthening their lead generation capabilities, looking to fintech and holistic distribution solutions, making acquisitions and more. Meanwhile, it’s getting easier for financial institutions to access cryptocurrencies thanks to tech innovation. 

Advisors and wealth managers have set their sights on growth in 2022 across carve-outs, hiring, product innovation, and education. Meanwhile, one of the world’s largest asset managers has suffered a tech failure, leaving customers unable to access their accounts when they needed to the most. Below is a roundup of the latest press releases. 

The wealthtech segment is saying goodbye to 2021 in style, raising capital, expanding teams, adding assets, and delivering shiny tech offerings for advisors. This year, crypto providers have increasingly made their way onto the landscape, paving the way for advisors to make the leap to digital assets.