CAIS is one of several firms, such as iCapital (US) and Moonfare (Germany) that have opened access to private markets and alternative investments, challenging a territory traditionally dominated by investment banks.     

CAIS, a US-headquartered alternative investment platform, has built a new division to cover capital markets.

The division, called CAIS Capital Markets, will centralize existing structured investments solutions, hedging and monetization, and managed solutions referral services, with CAIS Capital’s structured investments trade execution capabilities.

The business arm offers advisors access to structured notes as well as hedging and monetization strategies – both delivered by bank issuers – to help diversify and manage risk in concentrated equity positions. (Concentration risk is a significant challenge, as shown by the sharp falls in “Magnificent Seven” Big Techs that have dominated capital-weighted indices such as the S&P 500.)

Focus Financial Partners, the network of wealth management firms, has expanded its relationship with CAIS to use its capital markets offerings.

“Advisors are increasingly taking advantage of defined-outcome strategies to capitalize on market opportunities, manage risk, and seek to achieve the financial objectives for their end clients,” Marc Premselaar, partner and head of capital markets at CAIS, said. 

“In today’s market environment, we’re seeing a preference for increased diversification and downside protection. Many advisors are taking a more intentional approach to constructing portfolios – and that includes reevaluating their public allocations."

CAIS said it has seen more users of structured investments in recent years – with significant year-over-year volume growth.

Headquartered in New York, and with offices in London, UK, and Austin, Texas, CAIS serves more than 2,000 wealth management firms, collectively overseeing about $6 trillion in end-client assets. It was founded in 2009. It is one of several firms, such as iCapital (US) and Moonfare (Germany) that have opened access to private market, alternative investments, challenging a territory traditionally dominated by investment banks.