Alts Have Become Wall Street’s Latest Rage: Barron’s reports that alternative investments are high finance’s business du cycle. If software has been eating the world from the Silicon Valley side of American business, then alts have been doing so from the Wall Street side.

Stanger’s Chair Discusses Alts at ADISA Conference: The DI Wire reports that while at ADISA’s 2024 Annual Conference & Trade Show last week, Kevin Gannon, chairman of Robert A. Stanger & Co. Inc., likened the evolution of alternative investments to plopping a New York City-born gentleman into the wilds of Tanzania’s Serengeti: the environmental changes are stark and keep you on your toes.

Fintech Opening Doors to Alt Investment: Kiplinger reports that changes in consumer behavior have gradually led to the growth and accessibility of alternative investments, and fintech opens doors previously closed to most.

Interval Funds Growing Quickly: The DI Wire reports that interval funds had a combined aggregate net asset value of $93.4 billion at the close of the third quarter in 2024, an increase of 8.1% from the prior quarter and 27.2% since the end of 2023, according to recent data by Robert A. Stanger & Co., Inc.

SEC Chair Says No New Crypto Regs, Laws Needed: Pensions & Investments reports that the Securities and Exchange Commission doesn’t need to issue new regulations nor does Congress need to pass new laws for the agency to effectively oversee the cryptocurrency industry, Chair Gary Gensler said last week.

Schwab to Launch Alts Platform for Accredited Investors: ThinkAdvisor reports that Charles Schwab plans to launch an alternative investments platform this year for high-net-worth clients, a spokesperson confirmed Tuesday.

Private Equity Investments Predicted to Double: Barron’s reports that private equity investments by individuals are expected to propel the growth of the sector to nearly $12 trillion—more than double its current asset level—within the next six years, according to research by Preqin, a provider of private-market data.

IMF Issues Government Debt Warning: Congressional Quarterly reports that the International Monetary Fund warned in a new report that government debt levels are expected to top $100 trillion this year and will equal 100% of global economic output by 2030.

Merger Rules Could Impact Private Equity Firms: The Wall Street Journal reports that U.S. antitrust regulators have dialed back plans to collect a mass of data from companies planning mergers, but even the softened requirements will be a tough adjustment for private equity firms.

POLICY AND LEGISLATION

Senator Proposes Revamping Crypto Regulation: Politico Pro reports that Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) proposed an overhaul of cryptocurrency regulations last week, adding a new twist to the growing scramble over digital asset policy.

Democrats Reintroduce Private Equity Reform Bill: Pensions & Investments reports that Democratic lawmakers last week reintroduced a bill in the Senate and House to require private equity firms and their general partners to share responsibility for the liabilities of companies under their control, including debt, legal judgments and pension-related obligations, trying to reshape the industry.

Industry Pushing for Retirement Law Fixes: Congressional Quarterly reports that financial industry advocates are pressing Congress in the upcoming lame-duck session to make several fixes to a law that expanded eligibility for retirement plans but left some matters unresolved.