Crowd Street and Equity Trust Enhance Platform Integration for Streamlined Private Markets Access
Event summary
- Crowd Street and Equity Trust launched new platform capabilities on August 19, 2026, including single sign-on (SSO) and simplified account connectivity.
- The integration allows investors to access private market investments through self-directed IRAs (SDIRAs) more efficiently.
- Equity Trust users can now access Crowd Street’s platform directly, with streamlined account linking and automated investment funding workflows.
- Crowd Street hired Dave Kasouf as its first Chief Private Markets Officer to lead strategic collaborations and investor relations efforts.
The big picture
The integration between Crowd Street and Equity Trust reflects a broader trend of simplifying access to private markets for retail investors. With $81 billion in assets under custody as of December 31, 2025, Equity Trust’s collaboration with Crowd Street aims to bridge the gap between retirement capital and alternative investments, addressing the historical complexity and fragmentation in this space. This move underscores the growing importance of technology in democratizing private market investments.
What we're watching
- Investor Adoption
- How the streamlined experience will affect the pace of investor adoption of private market investments through retirement accounts.
- Competitive Dynamics
- Whether Crowd Street can sustain its competitive edge as other platforms enhance their own private markets offerings.
- Regulatory Compliance
- The extent to which regulatory changes may impact the accessibility and tax advantages of private market investments through SDIRAs.
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