Private Markets Open to Retail Investors — But Who Really Wins?
Private Markets Are Finally Opening to Regular Investors — But Who Really Wins? For decades, the most lucrative corner of the investment world operated behind a velvet rope. Private equity, venture capital, and private credit — asset classes that have quietly outperformed public markets for a quarter century — were reserved for institutions and the ultra-wealthy. Now, that rope is being cut. New fund structures, regulatory shifts, and a wave of fintech platforms are handing regular investors a ticket inside. But before you walk through the door, you need to ask the question that every game theorist asks first: who designed this game, and who does it benefit? What Are Private Markets, and Why Did They Stay Private So Long? Private markets encompass investments in companies, real estate, and credit that are not traded on public exchanges. The major categories include private equity (buyouts and growth capital), venture capital, private credit (direct lending), and...
