Crowd Street Integrates with Equity Trust to Expand Private Market IRA Access
Event summary
- Crowd Street has partnered with Equity Trust to integrate its private market investment platform with Equity Trust’s Wealth Bridge portal.
- Equity Trust has $81 billion in assets under custody and nearly 500,000 members.
- The collaboration aims to provide Equity Trust members access to Crowd Street’s registered funds across various asset classes.
- Equity Trust Company manages $70 billion in assets under custody and administration as of May 31, 2025.
The big picture
This collaboration addresses a growing trend of accredited investors seeking alternative asset class exposure within tax-advantaged retirement accounts. By leveraging Equity Trust’s substantial AUM and distribution network, Crowd Street gains a significant new channel to reach a large pool of potential investors, but also faces the challenge of educating a broader audience about private market investing. The move signals a broader push to democratize access to private markets, historically reserved for institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals.
What we're watching
- Adoption Rate
- The success of this partnership hinges on Equity Trust members’ adoption of Crowd Street’s platform; slow uptake could limit the initial impact on Crowd Street’s growth.
- Regulatory Scrutiny
- Increased accessibility to private markets via retirement accounts may draw regulatory attention, potentially impacting Crowd Street and Equity Trust’s operational flexibility.
- Competitive Landscape
- Other private market platforms will likely seek similar distribution partnerships with custodians, intensifying competition for investor access and potentially compressing margins.
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