In a notable milestone for the fintech sector, Alpaca Markets recently announced a $150 million funding round, lifting its valuation to $1.15 billion. The developer-first API platform, which provides brokerage infrastructure, plans to use the new capital to accelerate the expansion of its global services. Alpaca currently commands an estimated 94% market share in tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs and reported $670 million in tokenized assets under custody as of January 12th, reinforcing its position as a dominant force in the space.
Discussing the announcement was Tony Lee, global head of brokerage at Alpaca, who spoke during an interview with Remy Blaire. Lee detailed Alpaca’s rise to unicorn status and the significance of its Series D raise. The round was led by Drive Capital, whose co-founder Chris Olsen has joined Alpaca’s board, bringing additional strategic direction as the company operates at the intersection of traditional finance and cryptocurrency.
As Alpaca continues to scale, Lee highlighted partnerships with major enterprise clients including Kraken, SBI Securities, and Dime Financial. Tokenization remains central to Alpaca’s growth strategy as the company prepares for broader adoption in the years ahead. Holding the majority share of the tokenized equities market, Alpaca’s expansion reflects a broader shift in how investors are accessing and trading assets through crypto-enabled platforms.
Lee described Alpaca as an infrastructure-first business, built to offer a scalable, modern technology stack that connects traditional financial products with blockchain-based, on-chain systems. The goal is to support a multi-asset platform capable of linking financial products across borders, allowing users to transact seamlessly across asset classes and jurisdictions.
Maintaining regulatory compliance while strengthening market integrity is also a key priority, according to Lee, especially as more participants enter the digital asset ecosystem. The rapid adoption of tokenization and cryptocurrency signals a broader trend of investors committing real capital to these products, underscoring growing confidence in the long-term potential of financial technology.
Looking ahead to 2026, Lee pointed to anticipated regulatory developments that could meaningfully shape the crypto landscape. With new legislation and frameworks under discussion on Capitol Hill, he emphasized the need for thoughtful, constructive regulation. Such measures, he said, would help establish a stronger foundation for Alpaca and other firms working to expand and democratize access to financial services.
Alpaca’s latest funding round represents more than a valuation milestone. It highlights the increasing role of blockchain technology in building a more inclusive financial system. As the company continues to lead in tokenization and brokerage infrastructure, Alpaca stands as a clear example of how fintech innovation is reshaping global finance, making it easier for individuals around the world to access and participate in modern financial markets.