Morgan Stanley to Buy Private Shares Platform EquityZen
New York, October 29, 2025:
Global financial powerhouse Morgan Stanley has announced plans to acquire private shares trading platform EquityZen, a move that underscores Wall Street’s growing interest in the booming private market investment space. The deal marks a strategic step to broaden the bank’s offerings for wealth management clients and institutional investors seeking exposure to pre-IPO companies.
About EquityZen
Founded in 2013, EquityZen has built a strong reputation as a marketplace for private company shares, connecting employees and early investors of startups with accredited buyers. The platform facilitates liquidity for shareholders of private firms such as SpaceX, Stripe, and Databricks, giving investors access to high-growth companies long before they go public.
EquityZen has processed thousands of transactions and manages a community of over 400,000 accredited investors. The company operates under FINRA regulation, offering a compliant and transparent trading environment for pre-IPO equity.
Morgan Stanley’s Strategy Behind the Deal
Morgan Stanley’s acquisition of EquityZen aligns with its ongoing push into alternative investments and digital platforms. The Wall Street giant has steadily expanded its wealth management division, which now contributes a significant share of its profits. By integrating EquityZen, Morgan Stanley aims to offer clients broader access to private market liquidity—an area traditionally limited to venture capitalists and institutional investors.
“The acquisition of EquityZen enhances our ability to deliver comprehensive wealth solutions by bridging the gap between public and private markets,” a Morgan Stanley spokesperson said. “Private markets continue to grow faster than public ones, and we want our clients to participate in that growth.”
A Booming Private Market
The deal comes at a time when private markets are witnessing unprecedented activity. More companies are delaying IPOs, resulting in extended growth phases within the private sector. Platforms like EquityZen and Forge Global have emerged to meet investor demand for pre-IPO equity opportunities.
According to market analysts, global private market assets under management surpassed $13 trillion in 2024, and the figure is expected to continue rising as investors seek diversification and higher returns.
Impact on Clients and the Industry
For Morgan Stanley clients, this acquisition means easier access to exclusive pre-IPO investments and liquidity opportunities for their private holdings. It also positions the bank competitively against other wealth management firms such as Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan, which have also increased their focus on private asset access.
For the broader fintech ecosystem, this deal signals increased consolidation as traditional financial institutions acquire innovative platforms to accelerate digital transformation and client reach.
Final Takeaway
Morgan Stanley’s move to acquire EquityZen is a significant step in the integration of Wall Street and Silicon Valley finance. It underscores the bank’s commitment to expanding client access to alternative investments and shaping the future of private equity trading.
As private markets grow in influence, partnerships like this are expected to redefine the landscape of modern wealth management.
