Global fintech company iCapital has announced an integrated partnership with UMB Fund Services (UMBFS), a subsidiary of UMB Financial Corporation, to expand the use of distributed ledger technology (DLT) within fund administration. The collaboration is intended to extend iCapital’s blockchain-enabled network into UMBFS’s fund ecosystem, creating a shared data framework designed to improve operational efficiency, scalability, and connectivity across the alternative investment industry.
The initiative addresses increasing demand for alternative investments while tackling operational challenges associated with onboarding, servicing, and data management. By integrating DLT into core fund administration processes, the companies seek to streamline workflows and reduce inefficiencies that have traditionally slowed investment operations.
The partnership expands iCapital’s distributed ledger technology network into UMB Fund Services’ ecosystem, creating a shared data framework to improve efficiency and scalability across fund administration.
Shared Data Infrastructure to Reduce Operational Complexity
According to iCapital, the growing adoption of alternative investments has increased pressure on financial institutions to scale operations without adding significant administrative burdens. The company believes that standardized workflows supported by distributed ledger technology can provide a shared source of verified information, allowing industry participants to operate more efficiently.
Co-Founder and Head of Digital Innovation Dan Vene explained that the partnership builds on a relationship spanning more than a decade and reflects the companies’ continued collaboration on customized and diversified fund structures. He indicated that expanding the DLT network supports the vision of a connected ecosystem where data flows seamlessly among participants, reducing operational complexity while establishing a foundation for long-term industry growth.
The integration enables UMBFS to utilize iCapital’s DLT-powered infrastructure for the secure exchange of investor and fund information across multiple stakeholders. Through a unified data model covering onboarding, subscription processing, and servicing activities, the platform is designed to minimize manual intervention, reduce reconciliation requirements, and improve coordination throughout the investment lifecycle.
The integrated DLT infrastructure enables secure data sharing across onboarding, subscription processing, and fund servicing workflows while reducing manual processes and reconciliation requirements.
Supporting the Next Phase of Alternative Investments
UMBFS Director of Transfer Agency Operations Brittany Haiser stated that, as a transfer agent responsible for approximately half of U.S. assets in unlisted registered closed-end funds, the organization has significant insight into operational bottlenecks. She explained that subscription processing represents one of the industry’s most significant friction points and noted that iCapital’s platform directly addresses those challenges by enabling greater scalability for both financial advisors and investment managers.
The collaboration also highlights iCapital’s broader strategy of transitioning distributed ledger technology from early-stage applications to practical deployment within financial services. By connecting wealth managers, fund administrators, and general partners through a common data infrastructure, the company aims to strengthen collaboration and improve operational consistency across the alternatives market.
Beyond the partnership, iCapital continues to provide a comprehensive platform supporting alternative investments, structured products, annuities, and insurance solutions. The company leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies for digital identity verification and regulatory compliance while managing nearly $1.2 trillion in serviced assets globally and supporting thousands of wealth management firms and financial professionals.
By combining distributed ledger technology with a shared operational framework, iCapital and UMB Fund Services aim to create a more connected, scalable, and efficient infrastructure for the growing alternative investment market.