Art Meets Fintech: Curating the Future of Wealth Management

The fixed-income and alternative-asset markets were once characterized by opacity, resulting in varying levels of liquidity and access for investors. This created barriers to entry for the average advised client, limiting their ability for direct participation. However, great strides in the advisory fintech ecosystem have made access to these markets more common. Areas that were once the exclusive domain of the elite are expanding across advisory models in a continual rewriting of the rules of investment. For example, firms like Yieldstreet are actively broadening their alts reach by securitizing new asset classes and establishing API connectivity and tech partnerships that extend directly to registered investment advisors. 

One area where asset securitization and distribution are expanding is in the world of art. Although investing in art is not a novel concept, it has traditionally been reserved for ultra-high-net-worth clients—and typically offered within the exclusive realm of private banking. However, the emergence of new digital platforms is revolutionizing the way art is bought, sold, and owned, making it more accessible for inclusion in investment portfolios. Leading digital art platforms like Masterworks are centralizing their art acquisition and support teams much like the traditional private banking model but scaling through digital access, art funds and fractional ownership.

Key questions discussed in this report: 

• How is the investment and distribution model for art changing? 
• Has interest in art and collectibles grown among younger high-net-worth consumers? 
• What art platforms, investment products, and services are available for advisors and their clients?

Companies Mentioned: 

Addepar, Arkefi, ART.PRIVATE., Artemundi, aShareX, Athena Art Finance, Bank Of America, BMO, Christie’s, Citigroup, Dalmore, Deutsche Bank, Masterworks, Mintus, Nifty Gateway, OpenSea, Otis Wealth, Public, Sotheby’s, Splint, SuperRare, Templum, UBS, Yieldstreet