Former FTX President’s Startup Secures $35M for Multi-Asset Trading Platform Including Crypto

• Funding Round Details: The $35 million raise includes backers like Miax, Tioga Capital, ARK Investment, Galaxy, and VanEck, building on a prior $12 million round.

• Platform Focus: Targets institutional traders with algorithmic trading, risk management, and multi-asset support across digital assets and traditional markets.

• Regulatory Milestone: Architect gained approval in Bermuda for perpetual futures on stocks, commodities, and currencies, expanding from crypto origins.

Discover how Brett Harrison’s Architect Financial Technologies raised $35M for crypto and derivatives trading. Explore institutional platform innovations and market impacts. Stay informed on the latest crypto funding trends.

What is the Significance of Architect Financial Technologies’ $35 Million Funding?

Architect Financial Technologies, founded by Brett Harrison, former president of FTX US, has raised $35 million to create a comprehensive institutional trading platform. This funding, reported by The Information on Tuesday, supports development across derivatives, equities, futures, and digital assets. It follows a $12 million round in 2024 from investors including Coinbase Ventures and Circle Ventures, underscoring sustained interest in robust crypto infrastructure.

How Does Architect’s Platform Cater to Institutional Traders?

Architect Financial Technologies is designed specifically for professional and institutional users, offering advanced features like algorithmic trading capabilities and sophisticated risk management tools. The platform supports multi-asset derivatives, enabling seamless trading in crypto, stocks, commodities, and currencies.

Regulatory approval in Bermuda allows Architect to launch perpetual futures contracts linked to traditional assets, a product first popularized in crypto by platforms like BitMEX and central to FTX before its 2022 collapse. According to Bermuda Monetary Authority records, this approval positions Architect to provide deep liquidity and tight spreads, addressing key challenges in derivatives markets.

The company aims to expand into Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, targeting traders seeking integrated solutions beyond crypto volatility. As Harrison noted in discussions with investors, the platform’s focus on compliance and innovation fills gaps left by past market disruptions. S&P Global’s February report highlights liquidity as a persistent issue, with investors prioritizing products that combine crypto’s speed with traditional finance’s stability.

Source: Galaxy

The funding round participants—Miax, Tioga Capital, ARK Investment, Galaxy, and VanEck—bring expertise in exchange operations, venture capital, and asset management. This diverse backing reflects broader venture appetite for derivatives infrastructure, even as crypto markets mature post-2022 downturns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brett Harrison’s Background in Crypto Trading?

Brett Harrison served as president of FTX US from 2021 until the exchange’s collapse in late 2022. With prior experience at major firms like Citadel Securities, he brings deep knowledge of high-frequency trading and market microstructure to Architect Financial Technologies. His leadership focuses on building compliant, resilient platforms for institutional adoption.

Why Are Perpetual Futures Important for Institutional Crypto Investors?

Perpetual futures, or perps, allow traders to speculate on asset prices without expiration dates, offering leveraged exposure to crypto and traditional markets. Popularized in crypto for their flexibility, they now extend to equities and commodities via Architect’s Bermuda-approved offerings. This innovation helps institutions manage risk while accessing 24/7 liquidity, sounding like a natural fit for voice queries on efficient hedging tools.

Key Takeaways

• Funding Momentum: The $35 million raise builds on 2024’s $12 million, attracting top-tier investors and signaling recovery in crypto venture capital.
• Institutional Focus: Advanced tools like algos and risk management position Architect as a bridge between crypto and traditional finance derivatives.
• Market Expansion: Starting in Bermuda, the platform eyes global growth, potentially increasing liquidity in under-served asset classes.

Source: Kevin Sevenson

Conclusion

Architect Financial Technologies’ $35 million funding round, led by Brett Harrison, marks a pivotal step in revitalizing institutional crypto derivatives trading. By integrating equities, futures, and digital assets with regulatory backing in Bermuda, the platform addresses liquidity and risk challenges in a market where derivatives dominate 75-80% of crypto volume, as estimated by industry analysts. As global expansion unfolds, this development promises enhanced stability and innovation, encouraging institutions to deepen their engagement with crypto-linked infrastructure. Investors and traders should monitor Architect’s progress for opportunities in evolving financial landscapes.

Derivatives Markets Outsize Traditional Asset Trading

Derivatives represent the largest segment of global financial markets, with notional values in the hundreds of trillions of dollars, far exceeding world GDP. According to S&P Global’s February report, the market’s evolution centers on liquidity and innovative structures, yet challenges persist in achieving tight bid-ask spreads across asset classes.

In cryptocurrency, derivatives drive 75% to 80% of trading volume on major exchanges, amplifying both efficiency and volatility. The October 10 liquidation event, which wiped out $19 billion in a day—the largest in crypto history—illustrates these risks. Architect’s emphasis on risk management tools aims to mitigate such events for institutional users.