Welcome to the second edition of The Alpha Brief. your fast, seven-minute update designed for firms and financial professionals. Get caught up on last week’s news, gather client talking points, and discover what’s shaping the business for the week ahead.
Let’s dive in…
The Weekly Deal Sheet
The fintech sector took a victory lap this week on paper. Meanwhile, legacy banks repositioned themselves for a more aggressive second half of the year.
Fintech Grows Up
A new report from QED Investors and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) shows fintech now represents 3% of global financial services revenue. Sixty-nine percent of public fintech companies are profitable. If 2022 was about survival, 2025 is about dominance.
Read Further: QED/BCG Global Fintech Report.
NatWest and the End of the Bailout Era
The United Kingdom Treasury sold its final stake in NatWest, wrapping up one of the most enduring financial crisis legacies. Seventeen years later, the signal is clear—next time, governments may take a different approach.
Read Further: FT Coverage of NatWest Exit
JPM 0.00%↑ Hits New Highs
Shares of JPMorgan Chase reached a record high, adding fuel to a slow-burning bank rally. Analysts say the technical breakout could shift broader sentiment across financials—especially if Q3 earnings surprise to the upside.
Read Further: Axios: JPMorgan Breaks Out


Niche Firm Marketing Spotlight
Firm: Anchyra Partners
Thesis: Anchyra, a newly launched RIA firm in Atlanta, is making waves by combining the expertise of former Goldman Sachs advisors with the support of Dynasty Financial Partners. With a focus on ultrahigh-net-worth clients and family offices, Anchyra aims to provide a broader range of investment products, advanced technology, and comprehensive financial planning. Their innovative approach to client service and independence is setting them apart in the competitive wealth management landscape.
The firm's launch has garnered attention for its strategic combination of seasoned professionals and robust infrastructure, positioning Anchyra as a formidable player in the RIA space.
Full release here.
Rules and Regulations
A quick look at a notable compliance updates from this week.
FHA Approves Bitcoin for Mortgage Down Payments
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) updated guidance to allow borrowers to use Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies for mortgage down payments, provided assets are converted to US dollars before closing. This signals cautious adoption of crypto in traditional mortgage lending.
Read Further: Mortgage Rule Change Adds Crypto.
Fed Stress Tests Confirm Bank Resilience
The Federal Reserve’s recent stress test results affirm that the largest US banks can endure severe economic shocks. This clearance permits them to increase share buybacks and dividends, improving market confidence for H2 2025.
Read Further: Federal Reserve Stress Test Results
FINRA Proposes Raising Gift Limit
FINRA filed a proposal with the SEC to raise the gift limit under Rule 3220 from $100 to $250. The change updates the rule for inflation and clarifies exceptions for personal gifts and retail customers.
Read Further: FINRA Proposal
The Tech Stack
With ChatGPT’s new rollout scheduled for July, wealth firms should get ready for a significant shift in how AI supports advisor workflows. As detailed in our recent Convergence article, this next-gen AI will automate mundane tasks like data entry, client reporting, and compliance allowing advisors to focus more on strategic planning and client engagement.
Though no major product announcements surfaced this week, the upcoming AI advancements promise to reshape firm operations and competitive dynamics soon.
Read Further: The Convergence of AI and Wealth Management
Weekend Reading: The Deep Dive
Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You, by John Warrillow offers practical guidance on building a scalable, sustainable financial advisory practice. Drawing from real-world examples, Warrillow emphasizes the importance of systematizing services and focusing on niche markets to drive growth and value.
The book shares personal stories from advisors who transformed their firms by streamlining operations and embracing a client-centric approach. It underscores that growth is not just about acquiring clients but about building a business that runs smoothly even when the founder steps back.
This is essential reading for RIAs and wealth managers striving to build firms that endure market cycles and leadership transitions.
See the book on Amazon.
A Final Thought: Markets are hitting new highs. But clients don’t always feel that victory. There’s a gap, a quiet tension between what the numbers say and what people actually experience. That gap is where true value lives.
The world is changing fast. AI is moving from novelty to necessity. Fintech firms are no longer startups, they are shaping the rules. Regulations are shifting the ground beneath everyone’s feet. Success won’t come from numbers alone, it will come from perspective, timing, and trust.
The second half of 2025 will test the industry in new ways. Those who embrace change with clear purpose and put clients at the center will define the future.
Thank you for reading. Let’s see where this journey takes us.
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