Apex to Unveil Alts FunctionalityApex to Unveil Alts Functionality
The fintech aims to embed alts investment management into its standard brokerage infrastructure, with a product launch scheduled for the first half of this year.
Apex Fintech Solutions, a subsidiary of SEC registered broker/dealer Apex Clearing Corp., said it will launch Apex Alts, a platform for managing alternative investments, with a planned start toward the tail end of the second quarter.
According to the firm, the new platform will provide access to investments, including private credit, limited partnerships, private equity, non-traded REITs and bespoke funds, through traditional brokerage accounts. In addition, the launch will follow an iterative approach, with additional features and functionality rolling out in phases beyond the initial release.
Apex client advisory and wealth management firms will be able to manage traditional and alternative investments side-by-side on Apex Ascend, its cloud-native trading, clearing and custody platform. In addition, those client firms will be able to handle trading, custody, reconciliation and investor documentation through that infrastructure.
According to an Apex spokesperson, the goal is to create a vertically integrated solution where fund access, subscription, and custody can be handled in one system rather than spread between different providers.
“Apex has built a deeply embedded platform that allows IBDs/RIAs to access funds, subscribe to them, and custody these investments—all within one system alongside traditional investments like equities, ETFs, mutual funds and fixed income holdings,” the spokesperson said. “Apex’s Alts platform integrates order submission, provides a consolidated fund marketplace, and enables clients to create their own offerings, partnering with fund administrators and transfer agents to streamline capital formation and custody servicing. The main focus is on automation, scalability, and driving efficiency for both advisors and asset managers, all within a single brokerage account.”
The system is meant to replicate Apex’s current model for processing traditional securities for alternative investments. The system will include “fund onboarding, a fund marketplace for research and diligence, workflows for accreditation verification and integrated digital subscription processes with e-signature capabilities.”
“With Apex Alts, we’re democratizing access and empowering every interested and qualified investor with a streamlined, intuitive product,” Apex Fintech CEO Bill Capuzzi said in a statement. “By offering a robust solution for clearing, custody, fund discovery, trading, reporting and administration, we're fundamentally transforming the alternative investment experience for clients. And with our Apex Alts Marketplace, we’re significantly expanding investor choices, too."
Other functionality will include customizable APIs, options for direct trading and pre-built alternative models.
In addition, asset managers will be able to share funds for institutional investors, accredited retail investors and non-accredited investors in the Apex Alts Marketplace. Currently, Apex provides access to 2,500 funds and fund administrators and plans to “expand the platform by partnering with other industry leaders who aggregate fund access today.”
Users will be able to bring any alternative funds they currently invest in on the platform or use it to build new special purpose vehicles.
Apex also said it plans to introduce additional features, including enhanced marketplace tools and expanded market access.
As of the end of 2024, Apex reported that it has roughly 20 million brokerage accounts on Apex Ascend.
Apex has completed a number of moves in recent years to build out its platform. In March of 2024, it acquired AdvisorArch, a portfolio management company with its own rebalancer.
In January 2024, Apex launched a new user interface for advisors called Astra and, one month later, announced integrations with Advyzon.
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