Chicago-headquartered Architect Financial Technologies has raised $35 million in strategic Series A funding, marking a significant milestone in its effort to reshape how institutional derivatives are traded. The fresh capital will be used to accelerate the expansion of AX, the company’s newly launched trading platform that brings perpetual futures—long associated with crypto markets—into the regulated world of traditional assets.
With this round, Architect signals its ambition to challenge decades-old derivatives market structures by offering institutions continuous exposure without the constraints of traditional contract expiries.
Credits: Ascendants
AX: Reimagining Perpetual Futures for Traditional Assets
At the core of Architect’s vision is AX, a centralized exchange offering perpetual futures linked to conventional asset classes. While perpetual contracts are a familiar concept in crypto trading, they have rarely been applied to traditional markets in a regulated, institution-focused format.
According to the company, AX enables trading in perpetual futures across foreign exchange, interest rates, equities, stock indices, precious metals, and commodities. By eliminating fixed expiry dates, the platform allows participants to maintain uninterrupted market exposure, potentially improving capital efficiency and flexibility for sophisticated trading strategies.
The exchange was launched last month and is operated by Architect Bermuda Ltd., a subsidiary of Architect Financial Technologies.
A Strong Emphasis on Regulation and Trust
Unlike many platforms offering perpetual instruments, Architect has built AX with regulation at its foundation. Trading on the platform takes place under the oversight of the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA), a point the company has highlighted as it seeks to attract institutional users.
This regulated framework is designed to address longstanding concerns around transparency, counterparty risk, and governance—issues that have often limited institutional participation in newer derivatives structures. By combining perpetual futures with regulatory oversight, Architect aims to create a bridge between innovative trading products and the compliance requirements of traditional finance.
AX is currently accessible to institutions in eligible jurisdictions, including hedge funds, market makers, family offices, asset managers, insurance and reinsurance firms, and lenders. The company has also opened a waitlist for sophisticated individual traders, indicating broader ambitions over time.
Backed by Heavyweights Across Market Infrastructure
The Series A round was anchored by Miami International Holdings, Inc. (MIAX) and Tioga Capital, underscoring strong strategic support from established players in financial markets. The investor roster also includes Galaxy Ventures, ARK Invest, VanEck, Trumid, and Geneva Trading, among others.
In addition, existing backers Coinbase Ventures, Strobe Ventures, CMT Digital, and Third Kind Venture Capital doubled down on their commitment to the company. Investment advisory firm Broadhaven acted as advisor to the transaction.
This diverse investor base—spanning exchanges, asset managers, and trading firms—reflects confidence in Architect’s approach and the potential demand for a new kind of institutional derivatives platform.
Founder Brett Harrison’s Vision for the Next Phase
Architect Financial Technologies was founded in 2023 by Brett Harrison, who serves as Founder and Chief Executive Officer. Commenting on the funding, Harrison said the Series A enables the company to enter the next phase of AX’s development, supported by partners with deep expertise in trading and market infrastructure.
Harrison has positioned AX not merely as a new exchange, but as a catalyst for a broader evolution in global derivatives trading—one that blends innovation with institutional-grade safeguards.
Building a Multi-Regulated Trading Stack
Since its inception, Architect has steadily built a presence across multiple regulatory regimes. Prior to the Series A, the company raised $5 million in pre-seed funding, followed by a $12 million seed round in 2024.
Today, Architect operates through several regulated entities:
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Architect Securities LLC, a FINRA-registered introducing broker-dealer for SEC-regulated securities and derivatives
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Architect Financial Derivatives LLC, an NFA-registered introducing broker for CFTC-regulated derivatives
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Architect Bermuda Ltd., which operates AX under BMA oversight
This multi-entity structure reflects Architect’s strategy of embedding compliance into its technology stack from the ground up.
Credits: Crain’s Chicago Business
A Timely Bet on Changing Market Structures
The Series A comes as institutional investors increasingly explore alternatives to traditional derivatives models, particularly those offering continuous exposure without expiries. By introducing regulated perpetual futures for traditional assets, Architect is targeting a market segment that has seen little structural change for decades.
If successful, AX could represent a meaningful shift in how institutions access and manage risk across global markets—positioning Architect Financial Technologies at the forefront of the next wave of derivatives innovation.
