Private markets have historically been the preserve of institutional investors. They have been complex to access, expensive to manage, and opaque in structure. But this is changing fast. At the heart of this transformation is technology. From onboarding platforms to blockchain-based fund structures, digital innovation is proving essential to the democratisation of private investment.
According to our latest research report, 69% of industry professionals believe that improved technology and access platforms are critical to increasing retail participation in private funds. Technology is no longer simply a back-office upgrade. It is now a key driver of growth, transparency, and inclusion.
A digital-first generation of investors
Today’s retail investor expects seamless digital experiences across all areas of their financial lives. Yet in many cases, private markets still rely on manual or paper-based processing. This is no longer sustainable.
Automation, user-friendly interfaces, and real-time reporting have the power to transform the investor experience. These tools reduce operational friction and help build trust. Investors want transparency, and digital platforms are increasingly well positioned to deliver it.
Our research shows that 66% of respondents identified improved transparency on performance data as a key factor for increasing retail investment.
The rise of tokenisation and distributed ledger technology
Among the most promising developments is the application of distributed ledger technology (“DLT”) and tokenisation. By creating digital tokens that represent ownership in private assets, managers can fractionalise investment and streamline administration. This means lower minimum thresholds, greater liquidity, and fewer barriers for retail investors.
More than half of respondents (58%) in our research identified tokenisation as a crucial enabler of private market distribution into wealth management. These digital assets make it possible to increase transparency, reduce costs, and simplify access to previously hard-to-reach asset classes.
What we’re doing to help
Earlier this year, we partnered with Sygnum Bank and Hamilton Lane to launch a DLT-registered share class, making private market access available to a broader and more diverse group of investors.
We also secured regulatory approval in Luxembourg to manage onboarding, administration, and transfer agency functions using distributed ledger technology. These actions reflect our commitment to advancing secure and scalable digital infrastructure for private market investments.
As our chief commercial officer Georges Archibald said, “The technology serves to reduce risk, rather than to increase it. The operational process and the technology are actually much more robust than existing models.”
Driving future innovation
The ability to integrate these technologies seamlessly across fund operations, compliance, and reporting is now central to private market growth. Our platform is designed to support this integration, ensuring wealth managers and fund sponsors can deliver smoother investor journeys and operational efficiency.
Download our latest research report for more industry insights!
Our comprehensive research report, in partnership with Global Custodian, Leading the shift: Transforming private markets in a retail-driven landscape, offers an in-depth look at how private markets have become a major focus for retail investors seeking diversification and higher returns beyond traditional investment options.
We gathered insights from 117 senior executives, including C-suite leaders and portfolio directors, from firms managing assets ranging from $1 billion to over $50 billion, offering a comprehensive industry perspective on the shifting dynamics of private markets.
