Brett Harrison Secures 35M To Build Institutional Derivatives And Futures Exchange

TLDR

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Architect Financial Technologies raised 35M to build an institutional trading platform.
Funding includes investors Miax, Tioga Capital, ARK Investment, Galaxy, and VanEck.
Platform will offer derivatives, equities, futures, and digital asset trading.
Architect received Bermuda approval to offer perpetual futures on global assets.

Brett Harrison, the former president of FTX US, has secured $35 million in funding for his new trading venture. The capital will support the launch of Architect Financial Technologies, a platform aimed at professional traders. Investors are backing the project after FTX’s collapse, signaling renewed interest in institutional-grade derivatives and multi-asset trading infrastructure. The startup plans to expand its offerings across crypto, equities, and futures markets.

Funding Boost Signals Investor Confidence

Architect Financial Technologies closed a $35 million funding round led by major firms, including Miax, Tioga Capital, ARK Investment, Galaxy, and VanEck. This round follows a $12 million raise in 2024, which was supported by Coinbase Ventures, Circle Ventures, and the SALT Fund. Harrison said the new capital will fund platform development and expansion into new markets.

I’m very happy to announce @Architect_Fi's $35M strategic Series A to accelerate the growth of AX, the financial industry’s first centralized and regulated exchange for trading perpetual futures on traditional assets. pic.twitter.com/ENOzPVT4BK
— Brett Harrison (@BrettHarrison88) December 23, 2025

“The funding allows us to build an institutional-grade platform and reach professional traders worldwide,” Harrison noted. The investment suggests sustained venture interest in crypto-linked derivatives, even after the collapse of FTX. Analysts see this as a step toward rebuilding trust in crypto infrastructure.

Platform to Offer Multi-Asset Derivatives

Architect will provide an institutional trading platform that covers digital assets, equities, futures, and derivatives. The company recently received regulatory approval in Bermuda to offer perpetual futures tied to stocks, commodities, and currencies. Perpetual futures first gained traction in crypto markets through exchanges like BitMEX and later FTX.

The platform will include features such as algorithmic trading, risk management tools, and multi-asset support. These functions aim to attract professional and institutional traders seeking advanced trading capabilities. Harrison emphasized that the platform will prioritize liquidity and efficiency. Users can expect robust execution and multi-asset integration to manage complex portfolios.

Plans for Global Expansion

Architect Financial Technologies aims to expand beyond Bermuda to Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The company plans to enter additional jurisdictions as regulatory approvals are secured. Harrison said the firm is focused on offering consistent products across multiple markets while meeting compliance standards.

Expansion is designed to connect traders across regions, enabling access to derivatives on various asset classes. Investors see potential in scaling the platform internationally, reflecting broader demand for professional trading infrastructure in crypto and traditional markets. The platform may also add new trading pairs and asset classes as demand grows.

Derivatives Remain Central to Market Activity

Derivatives are a major part of global financial markets, with notional values in the hundreds of trillions of dollars. According to S&P Global, liquidity remains a key concern across asset classes, prompting investors to seek deep liquidity and tight spreads.

In cryptocurrency markets, derivatives account for roughly 75% to 80% of total trading volume on major exchanges. This reflects their role in market activity and their appeal to institutional participants. Architect’s platform aims to meet this demand by offering multi-asset derivatives with professional-grade tools. The company also plans to provide market data and analytics to support informed trading decisions.

This article presents the transition of Brett Harrison from FTX US to launching a new derivatives platform with fresh capital. It covers the funding, product offerings, expansion plans, and the importance of derivatives markets in crypto and traditional finance. The new platform could contribute to rebuilding confidence in institutional crypto trading.