Charles Schwab has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire private markets fintech Forge Global for approximately $660 million, advancing its strategy to bring private market capabilities to retail and advisor clients.
Forge operates a private market platform and trading marketplace where qualified investors have transacted more than $17 billion in non-public company shares since 2014. Under CEO Kelly Rodriques, the enterprise also provides private market insights, and is developing an interval funds solution with reduced minimums to broaden market participation.
The acquisition aims to strengthen Schwab’s wealth, advisory, and investment management offerings by adding direct private securities access. This builds upon the recent launch of Schwab Alternative Investments Select, an alternative investment platform introduced last month, exclusively available to retail clients with household assets exceeding $5 million.
Rick Wurster, president and CEO of Charles Schwab, says the Forge marketplace will enable the company to “deepen liquidity, improve transparency, and further democratise access to this increasingly important source of wealth creation for investors”.
“Schwab’s entry into this space also gives private‑share issuers more choice and liquidity for founders, employees, and early backers,” Wurster continues.
The deal, which has been approved by both boards and is expected to close in H1 2026, will see Schwab acquire all outstanding Forge common shares at $45 per share. Forge’s two largest shareholders, Motive Capital and Deutsche Börse, have committed to supporting the transaction.
Source: https://www.fintechfutures.com/
